The Rationality of Irrational Choices

The choices that people make are by necessity rational – each choice follows some course of reason, even if that reason is flawed or inappropriate.   Except for simple reflexes, all of our actions are undertaken in response to a choice to pursue the satisfaction of some desire.

Very often the term “irrational” is simply used by those who, being vain and arrogant, presume to pass judgment on other peoples’ aims and volitions.  No man is qualified to declare what should make any other person happier or less discontented.  We may assume that others seek the same ends as ourselves, and can assess what we might do were we to exchange places with another – but to suggest that others should act in a manner that reflects our own will and aspirations is merely contempt and manipulation.

Another basis for the accusation of irrationality is that every action accomplishes some things at the cost of others.  A person who seeks to obtain something of little value at the cost of failing to obtain something of greater value is not irrational, but his reasoning may seem flawed.   But again, the decision of what things matter more than others is essentially a decision each person must make for himself.   If we judge the action of another to be irrational in this manner, it is often because we have different values and, again, arrogantly assume that anyone who does not share our values is mentally compromised.

Consider the debate over whether it is better to live in wealth or in poverty, or the choice we make in the face of any opportunity to exchange our self-respect and dignity for some material gain.  The choice an individual will make is a reflection of his values.

It is even arbitrary to consider the satisfaction of the body’s physiological needs to be of the highest order – the man who risks his life for an ideal is by no means irrational, and who says that he is so fails to understand the values of a person who would make such a choice.

When the intended goals of an action are understood, then a course of action may be considered in light of its effectiveness and efficiency at achieving that goal.  That is, the “right” action achieved the greatest degree of success with the least effort.   But because man is not omniscient, omnipotent, and infallible it’s generally witnessed that the course of action he chooses to pursue is flawed and often quite poorly considered.  But again, this does not mean action is irrational, merely imperfect.

Thus considered, the only truly irrational behaviors are reflexes, a response to stimuli that cannot be controlled by the volition of the person concerned.  Even the actions of an insane person are based on reason, albeit a perverse and ill-conceived form of reason.  As to insanity, maintaining the expectation that others will pursue the outcomes and follow the reasoning that we feel they ought to, rather than acknowledging they can and will think independently and follow a course of those of their own choosing, reeks of egomania.

Ultimately, we must act the subjectivity of human action, and acknowledge the right of each person to make his own choices.  The degree to which anyone may pass judgment is in assessing whether the course of action chosen was effective in achieving the desired outcome – and refrain from presumptions of being a fit judge of what is useful for others and what will make them the most happy.