The inconsistencies that haunt our relationships with animals also result from the quirks of human cognition. We like to think of ourselves as the rational species. But research in cognitive psychology and behavioral economics shows that our thinking and behavior are often completely illogical. In one study, for example, groups of people were independently asked how much they would give to prevent waterfowl from being killed in polluted oil ponds. On average, the subjects said they would pay $80 to save 2,000 birds, $78 to save 20,000 birds, and $88 to save 200,000 birds. Sometimes animals act more logically than people do; a recent study found that when picking a new home, the decisions of ant colonies were more rational than those of human house-hunters.
What is it about human psychology that makes it so difficult for us to think consistently about animals? The paradoxes that plague our interactions with other species are due to the fact that much of our thinking is a mire of instinct, learning, language, culture, intuition, and our reliance on mental shortcuts.
Mots clés paradox thinking animals ethics psychology logic illogical cognition charity rationalism rational-thought decision-making behavior
Here we have the paradox, the potentially tragic paradox, that our relatedness to others is an essential aspect of our being, as is our separateness, but any particular person is not a necessary part of our being.
R.D. LaingMots clés paradox relatedness separateness
Men have two greatest fears: the first fear is the fear of being needed, and the second fear is the fear of not being needed.
C. JoyBell C.Mots clés fear wisdom paradox men life-and-living fears wisdom-quotes the-nature-of-man men-s-fears the-fears-of-man the-man
Elric knew that everything that existed had its opposite. In danger he might find peace. And yet, of course, in peace there was danger. Being an imperfect creature in an imperfect world he would always know paradox. And that was why in paradox there was always a kind of truth. That was why philosophers and soothsayers flourished. In a perfect world there would be no place for them. In an imperfect world the mysteries were always without solution and that was why there was always a great choice of solutions.
Michael MoorcockMots clés paradox peace danger philosophers imperfection opposites elric-of-melnibone eternal-champion soothsayers
As a small child, I felt in my heart two contradictory feelings, the horror of life and the ecstasy of life.
Charles BaudelaireHere is the paradox of the thing we call freedom: the farther we wander from God and the more we try to break free from him, the more enchained we become. Every step we take away from Him leads us farther from the freedom of Jesus and closer to the cruelty of Cain.
Steven JamesMots clés paradox freedom god jesus cruelty chain
I am Dead, but it's not so bad. I've learned to live with it.
Isaac MarionMots clés humor paradox acceptance
I have no privacy. But I feel so alone.
Susan Beth PfefferMots clés paradox loneliness privacy
Pops added,"you know, they say if you don't vote, you get the government you deserve."
"And if you do, you never get the results you expected," (Katherine) replied.
Mots clés humor paradox democracy humour satire funny logic elections voting political results governments politicians sad-but-true election gadfly wise-sayings disappointments false-hope election-results general-election general-elections i-didn-t-vote i-hate-politics i-voted
A fear of weakness only strengthens weakness.
Criss JamiMots clés fear paradox strength honesty humility weak weakness denial honest humble correction facing-fear reversal fear-of-failure facing-problems reverse facing lying-to-ourselves strengthening weakening
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