Logic doesn't usually win

[ninerbuff]

I usually see "emotion" as being the biggest factor in making decisions. Logic doesn't seem to be the major factor. A great example was that of my cousin buying a car just recently. He commutes about 45miles one way each day. Because he doesn't make a lot of money, it logically makes more sense to buy a car that's economical on gas like a hybrid. So what does he buy? A V-8 hemi SUV. He bought it because it looked cooler and because he could "fix" it up.
Having been in door to door sales for a long time, I know that people buy what they want, and not necessarily what they need or require.
Isn't much of the decisions we make daily, more based on emotion than logic?

 

[Oneatatime]

Most of us decide what we want and then rationalise that decision by whatever means neccessary. Even when our decision is blatantly rubbish and the justication shoddy its suprising how blind we are to this.

 

[Revoltingest]

When logic is used, it's still based upon emotional premises.

 

[Reptillian]

To quote Benjamin Franklin, "Would you persuade, speak of interest, not of reason"

If you want to convince people of something, then tell them how it is advantageous to them. As you know, most men aren't reasonable.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I usually see "emotion" as being the biggest factor in making decisions. Logic doesn't seem to be the major factor. A great example was that of my cousin buying a car just recently. He commutes about 45miles one way each day. Because he doesn't make a lot of money, it logically makes more sense to buy a car that's economical on gas like a hybrid. So what does he buy? A V-8 hemi SUV. He bought it because it looked cooler and because he could "fix" it up.

If you're talking about the Durango, then the models after 2006 or so have an MDS system that shuts down half the cylinders when it's cruising.

These sorts of systems can give surprising reductions to fuel consumption. For instance, with the V6 engine, the new Camaro gets better highway fuel economy than a non-hybrid Camry.

Personally, I think that worrying about vehicle choice is pretty far down the list in terms of reducing commuting cost and environmental impact. Think of it this way:

Annual commuting cost = [fixed costs] + ([# of commuting days] x [commuting distance] x [cost per mile] / [# of people in vehicle])

Changing your vehicle only affects one variable: cost per mile. And you usually have to spend a fair bit to make a small impact. You get much more bang for the buck if you switch travel modes (i.e. car to transit), carpool, or reduce your live-work distance either by moving closer to your office or getting a new job.

Or take telecommuting: if you can work from home 1 day a week, then you reduce your fuel consumption by 20% with virtually no cost. That's comparable to the reduction in fuel consumption you'd get from switching from conventional gas to hybrid.

Speaking for myself, I drive a 20-year-old SUV. However, I also recently reduced my daily commuting distance by 90% (yes, 90 percent) and now walk home from work when I can. If I did switch to a hybrid, it wouldn't reduce my fuel consumption that much.

Personally, I think that if you're driving 45 miles to work every day, then you're not really trying to reduce your fuel consumption anyhow.

 

[Sunstone]

I usually see "emotion" as being the biggest factor in making decisions. Logic doesn't seem to be the major factor. A great example was that of my cousin buying a car just recently. He commutes about 45miles one way each day. Because he doesn't make a lot of money, it logically makes more sense to buy a car that's economical on gas like a hybrid. So what does he buy? A V-8 hemi SUV. He bought it because it looked cooler and because he could "fix" it up.
Having been in door to door sales for a long time, I know that people buy what they want, and not necessarily what they need or require.
Isn't much of the decisions we make daily, more based on emotion than logic?

Decisions seem based on a number of factors,depending on what level you look at it. Maybe some reasoning, emotions for sure, perceptual state, etc.

 

[Yerda]

I usually see "emotion" as being the biggest factor in making decisions. Logic doesn't seem to be the major factor. A great example was that of my cousin buying a car just recently. He commutes about 45miles one way each day. Because he doesn't make a lot of money, it logically makes more sense to buy a car that's economical on gas like a hybrid. So what does he buy? A V-8 hemi SUV. He bought it because it looked cooler and because he could "fix" it up.
Having been in door to door sales for a long time, I know that people buy what they want, and not necessarily what they need or require.
Isn't much of the decisions we make daily, more based on emotion than logic?

I think I generally make decisions based on emotional appeal and then find logical or rational reasons later. It's not always bad. We evolved a complicated emotional life for good reason. Emotions are not always the anti-theis of logic. However, like everyone, I do stupid things from time to time.