Sometimes we read something that just seems to put things better than we ever could ...
From The Reader by Bernhard Schlink. It's now also a film starring Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes.
"Often enough in my life I have done things I did not decide to do. Something - whatever it may be - goes into action; 'it' goes to the woman I don't want to see any more, 'it' makes the remark to the boss that costs me my head, 'it' keeps on smoking although I have decided to give up, and then gives up smoking just when I've accepted the fact that I'm a smoker and always will be. I don't mean to say that thinking and reaching decisions have no influence on behaviour. But behaviour does not merely enact whatever has already been thought through and decided. It has its own sources, and is my behaviour, quite independently, just as my thoughts are my thoughts, and my decisions are my decisions."
Pippa
Pippa
This concurs with my own view that each of us is two people; the 'known me' and the 'unknown me'. By definition, we know our 'known me' and probably have a fair idea how s/he influences our decisions, choices and behaviour. Conversely, we know little about our 'unknown me' and what drives him/her. This means that we are doubtless subject to 'hidden' influences and consequently, cognitive rational thought may not lead us to the factors that influence our choices or our behaviours. Learn more about your own hidden biases vis IATS (Implicit Association Testing) at www.implicit.harvard.edu.
David