Around Quote by Daniel Kahneman
“We think, each of us, that we're much more rational than we are. And we think that we make our decisions because we have good reasons to make them. Even when it's the other way around. We believe in the reasons, because we've already made the decision.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman, 2011
People overestimate their rationality and justify decisions after the fact, believing reasons precede choices.
In simple terms: We think we’re rational, but we often rationalize decisions after making them.
Key Takeaway
Recognize post‑hoc rationalization and question your reasons.
Themes
cognition
bias
decisionmaking
selfdeception
Mood
reflective
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal decisions
- business strategy
- policy formation
- ethical judgments
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
metacognition
rationality
Questions to Reflect On
- How often do you justify a decision after the fact?
- What evidence shows your reasons truly guided the choice?
A Different Perspective
Humans often lack true self‑awareness, making objective evaluation difficult.
