If you are too lazy to read all, read only the highlights (big letters) 馃馃馃
The first question that Daniel Kahneman
discusses is how does our brain work?
The second question. What makes us happy.
We have been dealing with these same questions all our lives, but when it comes to the Nobel Prize winner, the answers are reasoned and grounded.
(Even with studies allowed to argue- I will correct myself - MUST argue)
Many truths that they thought were facts that could not be changed were found to be incorrect.
The first experiment that Daniel Kahneman shows in his experiments is a simple mathematical question:
If a tennis ball and tennis racquet cost $ 1.10 together and the racquet costs a dollar more than the ball, how much does the ball cost?
(If the answer immediately cost you 10 cents, you're probably very human)
The simple truth is that this is how our brain works,
The truth is that the answer should be solved in a simple equation:
x + (x + 1) = 1.10
x=0.05 cents :)
Do not worry, not only you were wrong in this case, almost every student who was asked this question answered 10 cents. Why? Because that's how our brain works, it's one of the methods of proof that our brain works in a certain way.
the first answer will take us 4 seconds to calculate,
the second one(which is the right answer) will take us in average 21 seconds.
(By the way, these questions are very common in job interviews.)
Then Professor Daniel Kahneman
divides our brain behavior into two ways -
(The division is less interesting than the conclusions that can be scientifically deduced from the division.)
There are two systems in our brain:
1. One system is more intuitive(not only) faster, and more usable .
2.The second system is more logical(not only logical).
So at least a first established conclusion is that we are not rational beings (at least not 100 percent in any form our systems, not number 1 or 2 Never! .)
At least that's encouraging.
Why?
Because when I make a mistake. I do not have to blame myself, I was created irrational.
The professor attributes the simplest things to the first system, such as breathing, sight, and even hearing, get excited etc...
Everything we do automatically without adopting the thought .
The second system is not everything related to orderly thinking, it's all about intellectual effort
There is even a physiological definition - everything that makes our pupil grow.
There is a relationship between System 1 and System 2
Is that System 2 can usually prevent many things from System 1
But mostly what happens strangely, System 1 controls!
We can be precise that System 1 constantly offers what to do and System 2 most of the time confirms without criticism and therefore we are all impulsive and superficial...
Professor Kahneman adds
In more intelligent people, a more active system 2 is therefore related to the level of inteligence to the level of activity of the system 2, System 2 requires much more energy than system 1 and therefore most intelligent people look more tired and balding and more signs of fatigue
Professor Kahneman adds to his findings:
People like to choose leaders who use the number one system!
Why? The people like to see that things come to the leader automatically, that they are a born leader. And so it is not surprising that Donald Trump, who is not really politically correct, was elected president of the United States he says that the most number 2 system president of the last years in U.S was Barak Obama.
If I were a political adviser, I would recommend acting like Bill Clinton, the most classic example of a leader who works through system number one
System Two can get tired easily.
For most people, System 2 is looking to work as little as possible and really lazy, if for example we have done a lot of time something we do not want very much like studying for the test. System 2 will get very tired and will directly affect system 1 (which is related to our happiness).
Can take a lot of time to system 2 recover, depending on the effort.
When system number 2 is tired people tend to make more selfish choices . eat more, and become less human towards each other and behave more sexistically to the type that we attract...
Professor Kahneman says:
I have a recommendation on how to choose a friend, choose a friend who does not pity you too much, and tell you the truth in your face A friend who does not identify too much with your feelings 馃槑
In 2005 he published his book "Choices, Values, and Frames ."
In his book he describes the "objective happiness theory" that can not help but remind me of the book "The Power of the Moment" But more scientifically.
He divides according to systems 1 and 2 the question of happiness to 2 questions,
- How does your mood situation.?
- What do you think about your life?
this questions are totally different.
Professor Daniel Kahneman says that "objective happiness" comes when you do not think about what it is like to be you, it happens during work hours, time with friends, etc
This happens when you do not deal with whether you are happy or not! In this sense happiness is an "object".
According to the findings of Professor Daniel Kahneman
The great moments of happiness are:
- The greatest experiences are with the people who love you friends and acquaintances and of course your family
- Sinking into something we love causes us to lose self-awareness.
(Disconnect from system 2)
And what about money?
here are the Interesting conclusions:
About money Something that surprised us a lot,
Starting from an average of $ 75,000 for total family income per year (US), people are more satisfied with life as income is greater
And there is no upper limit! The intention is that being very rich is better than being pretty rich
But when you talk about mood, the situation is completely different!
Beyond the income of $ 70,000-75,000 a year in the United States, there is no difference between the mood of a rich man and the mood of a middle-class person. again the rich person in a better situation then someone who is less rich then him on the system number 2 only!
on system number 1 the situation isn't different from 70k-75k USD per year for a family income
on system number 1 rich person and the middle class are the same exactly .
opnion:
It is possible that in other countries the situation is different
You have to understand that this is research in the United States.
He finishes his words:
stop thinking about what your life will look like and live happily just like a rich person. System 2 should not harm the system in the sense of happiness.
Of course, He's talking about people who want to be happy
The things that make us happy and we are not fed up by and we are not get used to them by Professor Daniel Kahneman are:
- Social things
Experiences with the people we love, playing with friends, eat a family dinner with your family. - We do not get used to the landscape either! To live in front of the sea or in front of a beautiful view probably never get tired of us.
Professor Kahneman says that it is precisely after all the great things he has achieved in his life that things make him happy that they are the small things that can make us all happy.
Only if we decide it's enough for us.
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