The Atlantic article on emotions in decision-making

I'm always stunned - I find it completely amazing that people think "rational thought drives our behavior". How deep that idea has pervaded our culture!

Here is my response to the Atlantic article...another article (lol)...this is about decision making, which I think has good information for all modern Epicureans to consider (provides a bigger picture of decision making)...some excerpts:

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Chocolate or strawberry? Life or death? We make some choices quickly and automatically, relying on mental shortcuts our brains have developed over the years to guide us in the best course of action. Understanding strategies such as maximizing vs. satisficing, fast versus slow thinking, and factors such as risk tolerance and choice overload, can lead to better outcomes.

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What is informed decision-making?

The ability to think critically is key to making good decisions without succumbing to common errors or bias. This means not just going with your gut, but rather figuring out what knowledge you lack and obtaining it. When you look at all possible sources of information with an open mind, you can make an informed decision based on facts rather than intuition.

Even though my response is a bit belated, I’d like to say that it's so refreshing to see a perspective that challenges the notion that emotions hinder our decision-making. But, I must admit that I've often struggled with the interference of emotions in my own decision-making process. Hesitation tends to creep in, making it difficult to reach a resolution. However, recently I stumbled upon a decision-making coin flipper on flipsimu.com. It has surprisingly helped me make some tough choices when I'm feeling uncertain. Of course, it's not a method that can be applied to all situations, but it can definitely be useful when you find yourself in a state of hesitation. Plus, it adds a fun twist to the decision-making process!

It takes practice to rely on emotions. But it's also not a case of "either emotions or reason". It's become such a paradigm that reason is the basis of wise choices. I'm finding that understanding the Epicurean Canon and the role of pleasure and pain within it is, with some work, a game changer for prudent decision-making.

Our feelings are always going to be there. Science is confirming that we just need to learn to listen to the wisdom that they offer us.