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Published on: April 16, 2014
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Means and ends of habitual action
Samantha Berthelette1, Christopher Kalbach2
1Department of Philosophy, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA92093-0119sberthelette@ucsd.eduwww.smberthelette.com.
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|April 16, 2020
Summary
Rationalizing habitual behavior may not improve future reasoning. This study questions whether habits are suitable for post hoc rationalization, suggesting current evidence is insufficient to support this claim.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Behavioral Psychology
Background:
- Habitual behavior is often characterized as non-rational.
- Post hoc rationalization is proposed as a method to improve future reasoning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate Cushman's claim that rationalizing habitual behavior enhances reasoning.
- To determine if habitual behaviors are appropriate targets for rationalization.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of Cushman's framework for habitual behavior.
- Argumentation based on the definition and characteristics of habits.
Main Results:
- Cushman's definition of habits includes non-rational processes and rationalization.
- The study argues that Cushman does not identify specific habits suitable for rationalization.
Conclusions:
- The efficacy of rationalizing habitual behavior for improving reasoning remains uncertain.
- Further evidence is needed to establish when, or if, rationalizing habits benefits reasoning.
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