January 1st, 2024 | ALLAN RAY

In This New Year, Think Rationally

Take advice from some famous philosophers.

Making decisions is an indispensable part of our daily lives, and how we navigate through this process significantly influences our personal and professional growth. Often, we encounter situations where we are neither ecstatically joyful nor deeply despondent, but rather, existing in a neutral emotional state. This so-called "gray zone" can prove challenging for decision-making as it lacks the clarity provided by extreme emotions. However, making decisions in neutrality is important and choosing our paths with an unclouded perspective is crucial.

To understand the importance of decision-making in a neutral state of mind, we can turn to the philosophy of Aristotle, who advocated for the concept of The Golden Mean in his Nicomachean Ethics. This principle suggests that the best course of action lies between two extremes, such as rash decision-making and excessive indecision. In a neutral emotional state, we can avoid these extremes and strike a balance that promotes rational, well-considered decisions.

A crucial benefit of decision-making in neutrality is that it fosters objectivity. In a neutral state, we are less likely to be swayed by our emotions, enabling us to analyze situations logically and objectively, free from bias. This approach is supported by Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel laureate economist, who, in his bestselling book, Thinking, Fast and Slow, explains how our emotions tremendously impact our decision-making processes. Kahneman emphasizes the importance of balancing our fast and slow thinking systems, where “fast” thinking is intuitive and influenced by emotions, while “slow” thinking involves logic and analysis. Achieving slow thinking involves developing the ability to process information in a more deliberate and mindful way, taking the time to consider multiple perspectives and evaluate evidence before making decisions.

In neutrality, we more easily gravitate towards slow thinking, allowing us to make more informed decisions.

Moreover, making decisions in neutrality promotes mental resilience. When we are in a good mood, we may underestimate risks and make impulsive decisions, while when we are in a bad mood, we tend to overestimate risks and become more risk-averse. Both scenarios lead to suboptimal decisions. On the other hand, a neutral emotional state allows us to maintain a balanced perspective and make decisions based on facts and probabilities. This stance is reinforced by the research of psychologist and author, Martin Seligman, who discusses the significance of adopting a balanced, realistic perspective to achieve mental resilience and to make better decisions in his book, Learned Optimism.

Making decisions in a neutral state of mind also encourages self-awareness. When we are emotionally charged, it can be challenging to recognize our biases or identify whether our thoughts and actions are being driven by feelings or logic. However, in a neutral emotional state, we can better understand our thought patterns, mental strengths, and weaknesses. This introspection allows us to make more self-aware decisions, which is a key component of emotional intelligence, as defined by psychologists Daniel Goleman and Richard Boyatzis in their book Primal Leadership. Improving our emotional intelligence can, in turn, lead to better relationships, enhanced leadership skills, and overall personal growth.

In a democracy, voters have the power to choose their leaders and shape the direction of their country. However, this power comes with a great responsibility. It is important for voters to be informed and thoughtful in their decisions, rather than simply relying on their emotions or biases. This requires taking the time to research and understand the issues, and to consider the long-term consequences of one's choices. It also requires being open to different perspectives and being willing to change one's mind if presented with compelling evidence.

In addition, voters should be aware of their own biases and work to overcome them. This means being aware of one's own emotions and thoughts and being willing to challenge one's own beliefs and assumptions. It also means being open to learning from others and considering other perspectives. By being thoughtful and informed in their decision-making, voters can help ensure that their democracy is strong and resilient.

Above all, weighing the economic policies of certain parties and leaders, from a clear and neutral perspective, would amount to more balanced outcomes.

Keeping important decisions to moments when we are neither in a really good mood nor a really bad mood is an essential skill to develop to achieve both personal and professional success. Learning to balance our emotions aligns with prominent philosophical teachings of Aristotle and modern researchers like Daniel Kahneman. By promoting objectivity, mental resilience, and self-awareness, their approach enables us to make better-informed decisions, ultimately leading to a more rational, balanced, and fulfilling life.

In the New Year, let your emotions settle before making any important decisions.