Irrational decision or helpful evolutionary adaptation? A philosopher on the rationality wars behind ‘nudge’ policy

People use cognitive shortcuts to make choices that sometimes have outcomes that don’t serve their own interests or preferences. But to call these choices irrational might be missing the big picture.

By: Alejandro Hortal-Sánchez, Wake Forest University; University of North Carolina – Greensboro, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 24, 2026

Words: 1,194

Last Updated: 1 week, 2 days ago

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By Alejandro Hortal-Sánchez, Wake Forest University; University of North Carolina – Greensboro

Twelve-year-old Jaysen Carr died in July 2025. While he swam in Lake Murray, a reservoir a few miles from Columbia, South Carolina, Naegleria fowleri – a rare amoeba found in warm fresh water – entered through his nose, causing a rapidly fatal brain infection.

Each year in the United States, drowning causes roughly 4,500 deaths, while infections from brain-eating amoebas …

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