December 13, 2017, by afyak4
You haven’t always been making rational decisions. The truth uncovered.
So I’ve just sat in on a lecture about decision making. According to philosopher Laurie Paul, you can’t always make a rational decision. Say whaaaat? Let me explain why…
- You gotta work it out.
Is it a good idea to go to that house party tonight or stay home and finish your coursework?
The party is rumoured to be the party of the year but your coursework is due in two days…
- Weigh up the possible outcomes.
- If you choose the act with the highest value outcome = rational decision
- If you choose the act with the lowest value outcome = irrational decision
(Whatever you decide I won’t judge. Your choice depends on which outcome has highest overall value for you!)
2. It isn’t always straight-forward…
What about experiences you’ve never been exposed to before?
Example: Deciding whether to go to university
Welll for some unique experiences you can’t assign value to its outcomes because you don’t know what the outcomes will be! So you just can’t possibly make a rational decision. Which means? Whatever decision you make it will be non-rational.
A bit extra… in such experiences you gain new knowledge that you couldn’t couldn’t have known before, which could lead to a personal transformation.
University might personally transform you and radically change your preferences.
3. Just give it a shot!
Example: Sky-diving: Should I? Shouldn’t I?
- There’s nooo way you can guess the outcomes because it’s not like anything you’ve experienced before.
- You might love it or hate it but you can’t possibly know.
The solution?
Try it for yourself! That’s the only way you’ll know. You never know it could personally transform you…
Left you wanting more?
If Laurie Pauls’ decision making theory is a bit of you then go ahead and watch her video to give you further insight… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQXBx36R_EU&t=423s
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