Rationalization
Rationalization is explaining one's behavior with seemingly logical reasons that conceal more difficult motives, emotions, or conflicts.
Definition
Rationalization is classically described as a defense mechanism: a person gives a reasonable justification for his or her choice, even though the true source of the decision may lie in fear, shame, the desire to protect one's self-image, or the avoidance of responsibility. The need to explain itself is not a mistake - the problem arises when the explanation serves more to defend than to discover the truth about oneself.
Key ideas
Missing key ideas.
Practice and life
Common misunderstanding
It is a mistake to treat every argument as a rationalization. The second mistake is to completely ignore the emotional reasons behind the decision.
Questions for self-reflection
No questions for self-reflection.
Sources
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