Rene Descartes is rightfully considered one of the greatest philosophers and mathematicians. Each of us has been familiar with the Cartesian coordinate system since school. In addition to many achievements in mathematics, physics and philosophy, René gave us one interesting decision-making technique. Being a supporter of rationalism (mind is above feelings and emotions), he created the so-called "Descartes square". Its purpose is to help in making decisions based on the voice of reason. Here we will look at what "Descartes' square" is, and its application in practice.
Theory
The main idea behind Descartes' square decision making technique is to prevent the brain from fooling itself. The fact is that our rogue mind is not used to taking into account the absence of something in the future. That is the brainconcentrates precisely on what we will receive, taking for granted what we have now. That is why we often greatly regret those things that we ourselves have lost, without attaching importance to them. "What we have we do not store, having lost weeping" - this is just about that.
In order to avoid such things, one outstanding brain decided to catch billions of average people and created a decision-making technique - "Descartes' square". The foundation lies in four questions.
An important part of the process is the written record. Do not keep answers with questions in your head, because it's like telling the secret of the trick first, and then "work the magic." The part of the brain that is responsible for decisions will immediately understand everything and get out (we know that it is good at this). Let's look at each question separately with an example.
What happens if this happens?
Write down on paper the consequences that some future event will bring. For example, Ivan wants to buy a dog. What happens if he does?
- A true friend will appear in Ivan's life.
- Ivan will be able to learn to take care of the weaker one.
- Ivan will be able to get along with other dog owners.
- Ivan will do much more cleaning in the apartment.
What happens if this does NOT happen?
Now let's write down the consequences if Ivan decides not to get a cute pet.
- Ivan will have more free time.
- Grandma's sofa from 1932 will still be the same oldand uncomfortable, but whole.
- Ivan will calmly leave the apartment without worrying about the pet.
What would NOT happen if this happened?
Now write out what will not happen if Ivan buys a dog:
- Ivan won't have as much money as before.
- Furniture in Ivan's apartment will no longer linger too long.
- Ivan won't have as much free time as before.
- At first, there will be no pleasant aroma in Ivan's apartment either.
What will NOT happen if this does NOT happen?
It's time for the climax. What won't Ivan have if he doesn't buy a dog?
- Ivan's wallet will not rapidly "lose weight".
- Ivan will not spend most of his leisure time looking after a pet.
- Ivan's apartment will not be filled with dog hair.
Sharp corners of "Descartes' square"
If you make up the answers to the question incorrectly, then you can easily twist everything to the point of absurdity. All that is needed is to record the person's personal reaction, and not objective facts, which are already very vague. For example, if Ivan decided to buy a dog, but when making a decision, he also tries to take into account a personal, subjective reaction:
- He will have a good friend.
- He won't be lonely anymore.
- Because he is not lonely, he will interact less with people.
- If he communicates less, he becomes more and more withdrawn.
- Closedness is likely to grow, absorbing all lifeunfortunate Ivan. The dog becomes the center of his life.
- The dog dies after about 15 years, and Ivan sinks into a deep depression from which he will probably never come out…
The example, of course, is incorrect and heavily twisted, but at the same time it is not devoid of some logic. It does, however, show "holes" in purely rational thinking. After all, when it comes to probability, intuition enters into battle along with reason, which means that we cannot use Descartes' square in such a situation.
Indeed, we can predict indisputable facts, but we cannot predict our reaction to them. This is the main mistake in applying the "Descartes square": we write down our reaction to them along with the facts ("I will be glad" or "I will be sad"). But we cannot predict our reaction in advance. For example, if someone puts his hand under the fire, then as a fact there will be a burn. This is what we will write down in the "square of Descartes". However, if we continue to write: "I will scream" or "I will be very upset," then we stumble upon an obstacle. Maybe a person will squeal like a flute, or maybe he will endure pain in cold blood like a real commando. You won't know until you try it.
Result
And despite the obvious drawback of this technique, it can and does help people make decisions. The advantage is that the fashion for such introductions has greatly increased in recent years. Not worth itforget that the "square of Descartes" is not a panacea. By and large, this is a standard and popular idea of critical thinking. Yes, and the technique of "Descartes' square" in itself only helps to make a decision, makes the process a little easier. What did you think? Answer four questions and solve one of the main problems of all mankind? No, this technique, unfortunately, does not work.
