Why do we struggle so much with Cognitive Biases?
They’re like the mental equivalent of optical illusions, except instead of misjudging the length of a line, we minimize almost everything else.
Why do we struggle so much with them?
With their unending wisdom, the ancient Greeks had a term, “akrasia,” meaning weakness of the will. It’s like knowing the right thing but doing the opposite anyway. Cognitive biases are the modern cousins of akrasia. They’re the mental shortcuts our brains take when they’re too lazy to put in the effort to think things through properly.
Our brains, bless their squishy, convoluted folds, are trying to be efficient. They’re like that overeager office worker who cuts corners to leave early on Fridays. Our brains rely on past experiences, emotions, and other subconscious influences to save time and energy to make decisions. It’s like using an outdated GPS in a rapidly changing city — sometimes, it gets you there, and sometimes you end up in a pond.
Then there’s the social aspect.
We’re social creatures, desperate to fit in with the herd. Cognitive biases often stem from this deep-seated need to belong, conform, and not be the zebra sticking out in a field of horses. We seek patterns, even where none exist, to make sense of the social world around us. It’s like trying to read the tea leaves at the bottom of a cup of decaf — earnest but ultimately misguided.
To sum up, cognitive biases are how our brains cope with limitations. They use evolutionary shortcuts, social influences, and laziness to make quick decisions. This is a natural human tendency. As the stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius once said, “Our thoughts shape our lives,” but sometimes those thoughts are biased.
Murat
