The big question is (to me) understanding the origins of irrationality. Does it come from within? Are we so ill-adapted to the environment that our brain maps to it only irrationally? That is an intriguing possibility but kind of degrading to the noble vision that I would like to have of mankind (being one myself! :>) )

I prefer to believe that it is not structurally generated, but comes from two sources. One of these is simply un-education. It takes cumulative experience and insight to learn, for example, that the worst criticism comes from he who has the most to hide, and that secrets often make people critical of others. Or, for another example, to understand that the deepest upset is found between those who first loved each other the most, proportionally to the prior affinity. Or just to learn a simple counter-intuitive lesson that more communication--of some sort-- is always indicated when a problem persists. These are tough lessons int he absence of which people will act "illogically" because they acquire their governing policies from dramatization they have been exposed to. So they learn, for example, that the right thing to do is puff up and yell loudly and pound the table. Well, that's what Dad did, right? Must be sensible, I guess...

The second big source is the internalization of force in amounts that overwhelm the individual analytical ability. Trauma, emotional loss, and even moments of great confusion can really mess up analytical ability, and when we then internalize these and carry them forward with us, they just continue to confuse things. Compound them a few hundred fold and it really gets confused (and most folks have several hundred moments, I expect, which qualified).

Keeping all that at bay is a major effort in itself. An effort which adds to the overall picture.

That's my 2 cents' worth on the issue.


Amos