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Does reflection lead to wise choices?
1Department of Philosophy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK.
Philosophical Explorations : an International Journal for the Philosophy of Mind and Action
|March 13, 2012
Summary
Conscious reflection may not improve decision-making, challenging traditional views. Recent evidence suggests intuition, built on experience, is key for both laypeople and experts.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Philosophy of Mind
Background:
- Traditional wisdom emphasizes conscious reflection for optimal decision-making.
- Recent psychological studies challenge this, suggesting reflection may not enhance judgment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reconcile traditional accounts of wisdom with empirical findings on reflection and decision-making.
- To explore the interaction between philosophy and cognitive science in understanding judgment.
Main Methods:
- Review of psychological literature on reflection, intuition, and decision-making.
- Philosophical analysis of wisdom and judgment.
Main Results:
- Empirical evidence indicates thinking about reasons does not improve choices.
- Expert judgment often relies on intuition developed through extensive experience, not conscious reflection.
Conclusions:
- The role of conscious reflection in decision-making is questioned.
- An interdisciplinary approach integrating philosophy and cognitive science is valuable for understanding wisdom and judgment.
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