Tag Archives: beliefs

How beliefs are abandoned… or not

Posted on December 1, 2023 by koenfucius

What happens to children when they begin to question whether Santa (or Saint Nicholas) is actually real, and eventually draw the inevitable conclusion? And what can we learn from their (and our) experience? Santa Claus (originally Father Christmas in Britain) … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavioural economics, Emotions, Psychology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Don’t be defensive (be surprised)

Posted on December 14, 2018 by koenfucius

(featured image credit: Henry Burrows CC BY) We should be pleased when what we observe contradicts what we believe to be true: wisdom arises when the unexpected happens We people are simple at heart. We are of course incredibly complex … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavioural economics, Economics, Psychology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Bending your mind

Posted on August 10, 2018 by koenfucius

(featured image credit: Emilio Garcia CC BY) Our beliefs are not always as solid and stable as we tend to, well, believe they are…. Our view of the world is shaped significantly by our beliefs. We believe that this, that … Continue reading →

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Belief without value

Posted on July 14, 2017 by koenfucius

Our beliefs often stand in the way of better decisions – because we value them too much The great economist John Maynard Keynes reportedly once said, ‘When my information changes, I alter my conclusions. What do you do, Sir?’ As … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavioural economics, Cognitive biases and fallacies, Emotions, politics | Tagged | 1 Comment