"Finally, the irrationality resulting from incomplete specification can be affected by emotions in a very simple way. If the conclusion is consistent with our desires or needs, the specification may not be examined in detail—in particular, not examined for its incompleteness. How often, when we conclude what we wish to conclude, do we then decide to subject our conclusion to detailed scrutiny? On the other hand, when the conclusion is one that contradicts our wishes and needs, then clearly there is a motive to examine our logic. Then we reconsider or even restructure the possibilities, question whether we have examined them all, and so on."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Non-fiction authors from the United StatesPsychologists from the United StatesWomen academics from the United StatesPeople from PittsburghCarnegie Mellon University faculty
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Chapter 4, “Irrationality as a “Reasonable” Response to an Incomplete Specification” (p. 68)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Robyn_Dawes
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Robyn Dawes
Robyn Mason Dawes (July 23, 1936 – December 14, 2010) was an American psychologist who specialized in the field of human judgment.
30 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Robyn Dawes →
Related Quotes
"Thus, even if we accept that the people are deviously neurotic rather than outright irrational, we still must specify…"
"Unfortunately, there are many irrational conclusions and beliefs in our culture from which to choose. Those analyzed …"
"These people were saying in effect that “I would be rational except that you are so irrational that I can’t be.” This…"
"At the very least, irrationality per se can be challenged. In contrast, acting irrational because we believe that oth…"
"Thus, logic and mathematics are important in determining “what is,” though not necessarily implying what is. “What is…"
"The DID problem is an example of arguing from a vacuum. The argument is basically that if one type of procedure (diag…"
"A particular example (i. e., of irrationality) involves interviews. Despite all the evidence about the uselessness of…"
"A closely allied type of irrationality is termed irrefutability. This name relates to the idea that a good scientific…"
"Prediction is not the same thing as understanding, but in the absence of prediction, we can certainly doubt understan…"
"People treat reason as if it were the most minor and harmful aspect of a whole human being. It is as if a soldier sta…"