When the topic comes to rational and irrational decisions such mysteries of human behavior as buying things which you do not need at the supermarket or doing very difficult and important work last night come to mind. Why do we do it? The clear answer to this question is still in the air. Psychologists and social researchers are trying to come to certain conclusion but all their findings are still more or less subjective. I think the core of this problem is not only in reluctance to lose, ambitions, commitment or affection ( in the example with the students in love or employers at first interview ) as mentioned in the book but sometimes in not having any choice. I want to share one situation from my life with you. When I was ten years old my most beloved granny passed away. The only thing left from her was a wooden house in the village. That house meant more than everything for me. For many years long I could not forgive my parents for selling it. Even now when I remember it I can’t stop crying. Do you know why they sold it (just for 4000 rubles the following year the buyers sold it for 15000)? Because my parents as many ordinary Russians at that time didn’t get their salaries for some months and my sister and I didn’t have winter shoes. Does it seem rational to you?... To my parents either, but they had no choice. We were school children and winters are very long.
It can seem irrational to many when doctors or teachers go to the most difficult sometimes even dangerous places on earth to help people who need their help. They leave their comfortable houses, their well-paid jobs, sometimes their families. The feeling that moves them is not rationality or fame.
People have always made irrational things one way or another but when you know that human lives depend on your decision it shouldn’t be matter of choice.
I have the same story with Olga, i have bought a new home last three years and for different reasons it was needed to change it with another old one and for the only reason that the new home was in a new without infrastructure neighborhood. It can seem irrational but i does this in order that my doubters to be in center of the city and to be near the schools.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Olga saying people always make irrational things in one way or another but I have noticed that this accour mostly in our parents age where decision are mostly as one way as for the young generation I see that they try to find better and more practical solution but still in the end sometimes they are stucked with their rational decision as in the end we all are human beings.
ReplyDeleteSOmetimes the irrational behavior gives us the possibility to obtai rational results.Olga ,even in you example selling the house in the beginning seems irrational,but considering the fact that if you had no winter shoes for the entire cold season might cause the illness of you and your sister and perhaps the health expenses might be higher.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the notion of Sway is very relative and depends from the points of views and expectations/objectives of people.
Ortenca
When you do something as the conditions force you to do it in that way and there was no any other alternative or exists another alternative which may harm something very valuable for you , it isn't an irrational behaviour.For example, in your case,I think,your family had known that the price was low but they sold it as there was no other choice at that time. The alternative was not to buy winter shoes to you altough they were(shoes) a necessity for you which is not an acceptable decision for any parent who have affection for their children.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the point between rationality and what we would call the irrational is a very difficult point to establish. There's no specific line, as you know.
Thanks.
hi Olga, your personal story affect me ...
ReplyDeleteI want to add something ,sometimes we make rational or irrational decision depending on many factor that even we couldn't explain on that situation so everything affect to us and we also affect them.
Hi Olga, I think you have a different view of rational/irrational then I do. What I think is that, the decison of selling your beloved grandma's house was the most rational decision that can be taken, but still understand your feelings about the situation. My opinion is that your approach is more emotional and in this sense "irrational" than your parents but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. You are human and these feelings only show your human side. I wish "Rahmet" to your grandma, and long lives to your parents if they're living.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Mehmet