by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com
Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely points out that our rational methods to evaluate economic and customer responses to the economy are not really rational. We are predictably irrational in how we make choices and function in lifestyle. Ariely specializes in behavioral economics. The way we gather information using controlled methods is based on human behavior being rational. Simply, human behavior is not rational; decisions are irrational, but predictably irrational.
Predictably Irrational proves this point, and continues to provide insight to how we respond to teetering life stimuli.... which is predictably irrational.
The truth about relativity is we do compare things to one another, but we compare what's easily understood and avoid what is not. Our view of our own attractiveness affects our view of attractiveness of others. The more of what we have promotes having more of what we have. So those who have, want more, even when our rational side thinks we have enough.
We anchor ourselves to initial prices. Our first purchase price affects the rest... how we review them. It's not so much supply and demand affecting prices. It's not so much demand as what the price was when we first bought it. Behavioral thinking takes us back to what we once paid for it... our anchor.
Zero cost is still irresistible. If it's free we will try to get it no matter what it costs us. We will buy one and get one free faster than buy two for the price of one. We will get free now, and be willing to pay later. We will pay more for free time. For example we will pay to be a preferred customer so we won't have to wait on the phone, in the line. Make something free and people will run to you.
Social norms are stronger than market norms. Volunteerism is big. We would rather do something for nothing that means something to us than to get paid for it. When we introduce market norms into social norms, we violate social norms and hurt relationships. For example, on a date, when buying dinner (social norm), we will insult our date if we suggest we want something back in return (market norm). The two ideals don't mix. Treating customers using social norms is more powerful; it promotes loyalty.
Courtesy wins over contract. Social rewards strongly motivate behavior... which becomes a predictably irrational factor. The social norm says if your are flexible, concerned, we are willing to pitch in without additional compensation. Social norms applied in business out-market market norms.
When aroused sensuously, we do things we won't do in a normal state when we are rational, in a sound mind. When emotionally or sensuously aroused we become predictably irrational.
Procrastination can be controlled when process is divvied out in small parts, short-term specific deadlines. People who procrastinate will always procrastinate. You can't fix it by trying to change the behavior of procrastination, you must use controls, guides to redirect behavior. Rational approaches don't have an effect because procrastination is based on conditioned behavior. So tools and guidelines are necessary to control behavior patterns. It is good to admit procrastination, get the tools designed to help you. Planners, technology, people assistants... devices that interrupt your conditioned behavior and force you to stop and change course.
If we own it, we think it's worth more. We value it more than other people do. What we have we fall in love with. The more work we put into something, the more we value, feel a sense of attachment to it and ownership of it. What we want and dwell about having, we start putting ownership on it before we actually own it. Ownership is not limited to just material things. It can be ideas, points of view, politics, sports. Ownership increases over time and it is hard to move backwards...downsizing our home, our cars, tools and toys.
Closing doors on options we have is difficult for human behavior to do. We want to keep options open and not close any doors. So we have a tendency to run back and forth to them. It is difficult to break from this behavior and spend time on only that which is really important. This running back and forth to lifestyle, mental options not only takes our time but it wears us out. Doors which we see as tied to our dreams are hard to close. So we're irrationally compulsive to keep these doors open... when we would be better off to shut the one we need to shut.
Expectation creates the result of the expectation. For instance, when expecting a movie will be good, we will find ways to like it and enjoy it. Our expectations, perspective, beliefs can blind us to the truth. A third party can help us see through tainted expectations. Like a placebo, we think the higher priced tastes better, is better than the lower priced. We assume quality is less in lower price. Consider quality, value with price.
Why we are dishonest. Most everyone is dishonest about something. One may not even take a pencil from the office, but will do personal work at night using the office electricity. Honesty is subjective to how a person views honesty. So honesty varies. When given the opportunity, most will cheat. When we think about honesty, like right after reading the 10 Commandments in the Bible, we deter dishonest actions. When removed from these benchmarks, we stray to dishonesty. So an oath, the rules, must be recounted just before temptation. When professional ethics decline, it's hard to get them back. Whatever reminds us of ethical principles needs frequent review.
We have a tendency to cheat more with non-monetary objects, than when dealing with money. When given a chance, people cheat. But when money is tied to cheating, we then justify it to go for the money (i.e., stock option backdating).
We are far less rational in our decision making than standard economic theory assumes. Our irrational behaviors are systematic and predictable. Ariely concludes that "economics would make a lot more sense based on how we actually behave, than on how we should behave."
"What we digest (through our eyes, ears, brain) is not necessarily a true reflection of reality. We are limited to the tools nature gives us, limited by the quality and accuracy of these tools. We need to force ourselves to think differently about our decisions... based on actuality."
http://www.predictablyirrational.com/
So what is faith?
It's predictably irrational.
Faith is what we hope for but have no evidence to support it will happen but we believe it will happen anyway, regardless of circumstances or evidence.
The concept of Spirit is that the very Spirit of God will do things based on faith alone. This requires no evidence or physical rational, proven methods that it will happen. In many cases it may be viewed as impossible according to human, world and physics standards. So faith is what Jesus said is what our lives are based on and it is predictably irrational.
We are saved, brought into His Kingdom by faith...mere belief in Him and turning from our other ways and following His ways. To accept His teachings on faith. And to know everything in our lives are provided by faith.
Just do a keyword search at
http://www.biblegateway.com/
and type in "faith" for Matthew through John. Look at all the applications of faith. If this is not an exhilarating case for faith...! (Caution: you may become overly inspired by just reading the Scriptures that have the word "faith" in them.)
Now try Hebrews. Just look at the references to faith in this letter. Here's just part of it:
"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see (will materialize). By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."
(Hebrews 11: selective verses, NLT)
Then the Hebrew writer continues to list all the anointed ones in the Bible and their walk of faith. He mentions over 20 examples of the most prominent men of God who ever lived that they lived by faith.
It is like ... do we get this picture?
It's all about faith.
It's all about that miracles are manufactured in faith.
It's that all life substance comes from faith.
Do we get this yet?
Is this not predictably irrational, but it is the way that in the world we work miracles, live in love; it's where peace and joy abounds exuberantly.
The Hebrew writer then draws this conclusion:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."
(Hebrews 12:1, NLT)
Don't stop there, keep on reading. It keeps getting better and never stops... forever, our faith promises, its forever. And live exuberantly in faith... the assurance that great things are on the way.
And we can go to the bank on it!
Make your withdraw from the bank today and life in the abundance of love, joy, peace, power through faith... knowing it will happen. So be expectant as it journeys to you.
Now, this is too hard to grasp, to be figured out logically, rationally. But Jesus said, this is the way it is and will be. Those who come to Him by faith, will be received into His kingdom of eternal love, joy, grace, and power. It's all about living by faith and trusting in Him.
How do we understand this?
We can't... only in His Spirit.
As the Apostle Paul said,
"And we have received God's Spirit (not the world's spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, 'Who can know the Lord's thoughts?'"
(I Corinthians 2:12-16, NLT)
We must live in Spirit to understand Spirit, which we really can't understand but accept it through faith. To understand this, and see it work for us, it requires being Spiritual, to operate in Spirit as our main mode of operation. So the only catch is we must give our minds over to Spirit and live in the mind of Christ... a Spirit function. Our thoughts and education are based on rational thinking.
We can analyze and figure things out with our minds.
But Jesus said you can't.
The Apostle Paul says we can't.
So we must learn to trust Spirit, that all things work out through faith, trust in that God's power is working on our behalf.
"My righteous ones will live by faith.
We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.
For every child of God defeats this evil world,
and we achieve this victory through our faith."
(Hebrews 10:38,39; 1 John 5:4, NLT)
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