www.thebethea.com

View Original

Thinking Fast and Slow Through Star Wars

The classic sci-fi saga Star Wars has proven to be more than just an entertaining movie series. It provides a unique lens through which to view Daniel Kahneman's famous work, Thinking, Fast and Slow. Kahneman discusses the two systems of thought and how they interact in his book. Kahneman’s approach to thinking can be seen throughout the Star Wars universe, from Yoda's advice to Luke Skywalker to the Jedi Order's reliance on instinct and logical analysis.

First, let's look at the two different systems of thought. Kahneman calls them System 1 and System 2. System 1 is the instinctive, fast-thinking system. It is our intuition, our gut feeling about things, and our ability to make snap decisions. System 2, on the other hand, is the slower, more deliberative system of thought. The analytical, rational part of our brain considers facts, evidence, and long-term consequences. As Kahneman puts it, System 1 is the thinking that "operates automatically and quickly, with little or no effort and no sense of voluntary control."

This dichotomy can be seen in the Star Wars universe in various ways. When Yoda instructs Luke to use the Force, he highlights the importance of System 1 thinking. He encourages Luke to trust his instincts and follow his gut. This contrasts C3PO, which is the embodiment of System 2 thinking. He is always the one cautioning his counterparts to think through their decisions.

The Jedi Order is a prime example of how these two systems of thought work together. The Jedi rely on both intuition and logic to make their decisions. They use the Force to tap into their intuition and learn about their environment. At the same time, they utilize the principles of logic and rationality to guide their choices.

In the end, System 1 and System 2 thinking have their place in the Star Wars universe. Yoda and the Jedi Order demonstrate that the two systems can be used effectively, allowing us to make instinctive and logical decisions. Ultimately, Kahneman's work tells us that we should strive to use both of our systems of thought when making decisions. By doing so, we can ensure that our decisions are based on sound evidence and are the best to make with the information available.