**Ecological rationality** is a concept that emerges from studies of heuristics and biases (championed by Kahnemann et al) and stands in opposition to **axiomatic rationality** (formal logic, if/then, syllogisms). It is [suggested](https://blog.practicalethics.ox.ac.uk/2020/02/ecological-rationality-when-is-bias-a-good-thing/) that ecological rationality utilizes context clues for decision-making to navigate the uncertainty of real life, [[Range - David Epstein#Chapter 2 - How the Wicked World Was Made|wicked environments]] as opposed to kind ones. I propose that axiomatic rationality only emerges once a hierarchy of needs is established, and that ecological rationality dictates most of the lower needs up to emotional safety. A prevalent bias toward axiomatic rationality distorts the usefulness of ecological rationality. We might think of axiomatic rationality as "explicit" reasoning and ecological rationality as "implicit" reasoning, often obscured to the decision-maker. The purpose of rationality as a methodology would be to negotiate between the two forms. Additionally, we could think of ecoRat as an intuitive or "gut" response, where as axiRat is thought out. Neither ever operates on a complete set of information. In evolving a coherent [[Rationality is epistemic situation awareness|definition]] of [[Rationality MOC|rationality]], this is an important factor. > [!quote] Gerd Gigerenzer > Limiting axiomatic rationality to small worlds, I propose a naturalized version of rationality for situations of intractability and uncertainty (as opposed to risk), all of which are not in (S, C). In these situations, humans can achieve their goals by relying on heuristics that may violate axiomatic rationality.[^1] Ecological rationality may also be considered a valuable asset in cultivating [[situational awareness]]. [^1]: Gigerenzer, G. (2021). Axiomatic rationality and ecological rationality. Synthese, 198, 3547-3564. ## Examples - "Reading the room" is an example of ecoRat. This is a behavioral capacity to determine how an idea might be received and choosing whether or not to share it. It has been [argued](https://www.slowboring.com/p/slate-star-codex) that the natural tendency of human psychology to read the room interferes with our ability to contribute valid ideas to complex issues. - [Examining orders of evidence is ecologically rational](https://blog.practicalethics.ox.ac.uk/2022/01/decoupling-contextualising-and-[[Rationality MOC|rationality]]/). This takes into account how information is being framed, since the choice of framing is in itself information. Clinical patients, for example, are more likely to accept a treatment framed as a gain than as a loss.[^2] [[Orders of evidence]] provide context for how facts and figures are obtained and communicated. - Schismogenesis is the adherence or support for a [[belief]] based on identification with its promoters. [It is a reasonable epistemological tactic](https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/25/black-boxes/) when the issues you need to be clear on outpace your ability to inform yourself. One possible solution is to believe whatever the [[elite-expert model]] purports as the truth. Another is to provisionally disbelieve anything from those acting in bad faith. [^2]: Thaler and Sunstein (2008) _Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness_ London: Penguin. ## Thoughts - In [[New Mythology]] terms, Data as the archetype of axiRat. Riker as ecoRat?