Puzzling Evidence

Conscious thought is just one small aspect of the mind, and seems better suited to explanation and persuasion than to rational deliberation.

On average people have Positive Illusions; they believe they are more competent and virtuous than they are, that they have more control over events than they do, and that misfortune and failure are less likely than they are. Within limits, this unreasonable optimism is associated with health, happiness and success—a conflict with the ideal of rational decision-making.