rationally irrational

an intro

What does it mean to be rational? What does it mean to be irrational?

I have always been torn between the two.

There’s a host of literature around it from ancient philosophy to modern psychology. Plato called it the “tripartite soul.” Freud called it the id, ego, and super ego. Dan Kahneman calls it “system 1” and “system 2” thinking. Joel Corry calls it the head and the heart.

I like to think of it as logic vs. emotion.

One thing most will agree with is that some kind of internal debate between our rational and irrational side is par of the course of being human. However, the word *debate* is likely less appropriate than complex and intricate *dance.*

It shows up in our work, our relationships, in broader societal trends. It shows up in finance, technology, art, education… you name it. I’ll give you a tangible example of it in technology -

Unless you live under a rock, you have probably somewhat been following the trends in generative AI. What is generative AI but computer scientists trying to replicate the human mind? And it has caused so much confusion because no one even understands what it means to reason like a human - to be both rational and irrational, to be both analytical and creative.

This juxtaposition is a ubiquitous part of our internal dialogue and external world.

I’m not a scientist, sociologist, nor a psychologist. I am an investor by trade so I love numbers and data. However, a philosopher and poet at heart. An artist occasionally. Perhaps it is these various qualities that make me so curious about it at all.

Anyway… you get the point. And hopefully you understand (between the ramblings) the curiosities I plan to explore and share with you. So please subscribe and keep tuned — it’s just beginning.

Best,

Harneet

my favorite quote this week:

“Each day is a little life: every waking and rising a little birth, every fresh morning a little youth, every going to rest and sleep a little death.” ~ Arthur Schopenhauer