We think, each of us, that we're much more rational than we are. And we think that we make our decisions because we have good reasons to make them. Even when it's the other way around. We believe in the reasons, because we've already made the decision.
After a crisis we tell ourselves we understand why it happened and maintain the illusion that the world is understandable. In fact, we should accept the world is incomprehensible much of the time.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We often believe we can make sense of events after they occur, but in reality, the world is often beyond our understanding.
Daniel Kahneman's quote highlights the human tendency to rationalize and create narratives around crises and uncertainties, suggesting that while we may strive for clarity and understanding, it is important to recognize and accept the inherent complexity and chaos of life. Embracing the idea that not everything is comprehensible allows for a more realistic perspective on events and the world around us, fostering resilience in the face of challenges.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the unpredictability of global events during a seminar.
More from Daniel Kahneman
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Banks are run by executives, and executives protect themselves, and that does not always mean that banks are going to behave rationally.
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Through some combination of culture and biology, our minds are intuitively receptive to religion.
You are more likely to learn something by finding surprises in your own behavior than by hearing surprising facts about people in general.
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