[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.61,0:00:04.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Think of a hard choice you'll face in the near future.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:04.06,0:00:05.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It might be between two careers,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:05.90,0:00:08.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,artist and accountant,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:08.01,0:00:10.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or places to live, the city or the country,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:10.91,0:00:12.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or even between two people to marry.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.85,0:00:16.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You could marry Betty or you could marry Lolita.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.57,0:00:19.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or it might be a choice about\Nwhether to have children,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.29,0:00:21.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to have an ailing parent move in with you,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.76,0:00:23.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to raise your child in a religion
Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.80,0:00:24.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that your partner lives by
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.90,0:00:26.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but leaves you cold.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.92,0:00:30.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or whether to donate your life's savings to charity.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:30.10,0:00:32.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Chances are, the hard choice you thought of
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.56,0:00:34.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was something big, something momentous,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.62,0:00:36.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,something that matters to you.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.49,0:00:38.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hard choices seem to be occasions
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.81,0:00:41.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for agonizing, hand-wringing,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.21,0:00:43.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the gnashing of teeth.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.68,0:00:45.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I think we've misunderstood hard choices
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.88,0:00:48.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the role they play in our lives.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.13,0:00:49.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Understanding hard choices
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.90,0:00:51.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,uncovers a hidden power
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.87,0:00:54.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,each of us possesses.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.55,0:00:56.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What makes a choice hard is the way
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.72,0:00:58.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the alternatives relate.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.56,0:01:00.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In any easy choice,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.25,0:01:02.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,one alternative is better than the other.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.82,0:01:04.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In a hard choice,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.29,0:01:06.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,one alternative is better in some ways,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:06.38,0:01:09.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the other alternative is better in other ways,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.18,0:01:12.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and neither is better than the other overall.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.25,0:01:15.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You agonize over whether to stay
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.00,0:01:16.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in your current job in the city
Dialogue: 0,0:01:16.52,0:01:18.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or uproot your life for
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.90,0:01:20.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more challenging work in the country
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.94,0:01:23.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because staying is better in some ways,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.70,0:01:25.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,moving is better in others,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:25.09,0:01:29.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and neither is better than the other overall.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:29.06,0:01:32.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We shouldn't think that all hard choices are big.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.86,0:01:35.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's say you're deciding what to have for breakfast.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.27,0:01:37.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You could have high fiber bran cereal
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.87,0:01:39.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or a chocolate donut.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.91,0:01:41.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Suppose what matters in the choice
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.28,0:01:44.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is tastiness and healthfulness.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:44.33,0:01:46.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The cereal is better for you,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.62,0:01:48.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the donut tastes way better,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:48.62,0:01:51.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but neither is better than the other overall,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.06,0:01:53.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a hard choice.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.23,0:01:55.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Realizing that small choices
Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.28,0:01:57.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can also be hard
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.37,0:02:01.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,may make big hard choices seem less intractable.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:01.40,0:02:04.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After all, we manage to figure \Nout what to have for breakfast,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.20,0:02:05.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so maybe we can figure out
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.68,0:02:07.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whether to stay in the city
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.30,0:02:11.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or uproot for the new job in the country.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.36,0:02:16.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We also shouldn't think that hard choices are hard
Dialogue: 0,0:02:16.16,0:02:18.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because we are stupid.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.69,0:02:20.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I graduated from college,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.49,0:02:22.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I couldn't decide between two careers,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.36,0:02:23.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,philosophy and law.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.93,0:02:27.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I really loved philosophy.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:27.40,0:02:29.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are amazing things you can learn
Dialogue: 0,0:02:29.03,0:02:30.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as a philosopher,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:30.29,0:02:33.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and all from the comfort of an armchair.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:33.58,0:02:37.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I came from a modest immigrant family
Dialogue: 0,0:02:37.01,0:02:38.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where my idea of luxury
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.15,0:02:40.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was having a pork tongue and jelly sandwich
Dialogue: 0,0:02:40.99,0:02:43.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in my school lunchbox,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.10,0:02:45.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so the thought of spending my whole life
Dialogue: 0,0:02:45.34,0:02:48.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sitting around in armchairs just thinking,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.73,0:02:52.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,well, that struck me as the height \Nof extravagance and frivolity.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.88,0:02:55.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I got out my yellow pad,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.13,0:02:57.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I drew a line down the middle,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:57.03,0:02:59.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I tried my best to think of the reasons
Dialogue: 0,0:02:59.03,0:03:02.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for and against each alternative.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.99,0:03:05.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I remember thinking to myself,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.24,0:03:08.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if only I knew what my life
Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.32,0:03:10.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in each career would be like.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.13,0:03:13.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If only God or Netflix would send me a DVD
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.88,0:03:17.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of my two possible future careers, I'd be set.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:17.13,0:03:19.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd compare them side by side,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:19.35,0:03:21.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'd see that one was better,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.14,0:03:23.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the choice would be easy.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.70,0:03:25.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I got no DVD,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.73,0:03:28.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and because I couldn't figure out which was better,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:28.40,0:03:31.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I did what many of us do in hard choices:
Dialogue: 0,0:03:31.22,0:03:34.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I took the safest option.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.10,0:03:37.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fear of being an unemployed philosopher
Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.12,0:03:39.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,led me to become a lawyer,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.68,0:03:41.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and as I discovered,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.59,0:03:43.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,lawyering didn't quite fit.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.28,0:03:45.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It wasn't who I was.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.54,0:03:47.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So now I'm a philosopher,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:47.34,0:03:49.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I study hard choices,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:49.05,0:03:52.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I can tell you that fear of the unknown,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.52,0:03:55.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while a common motivational default
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.41,0:03:57.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in dealing with hard choices,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.89,0:04:00.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,rests on a misconception of them.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.20,0:04:03.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a mistake to think that in hard choices,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.00,0:04:06.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,one alternative really is better than the other,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.22,0:04:08.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but we're too stupid to know which,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.05,0:04:09.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and since we don't know which, we might as well
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.76,0:04:12.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,take the least risky option.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:12.46,0:04:15.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even taking two alternatives side by side
Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.21,0:04:19.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with full information, a choice can still be hard.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:19.89,0:04:22.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hard choices are hard
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.04,0:04:24.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not because of us or our ignorance;
Dialogue: 0,0:04:24.18,0:04:28.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they're hard because there is no best option.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.50,0:04:30.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, if there's no best option,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.66,0:04:34.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if the scales don't tip in favor of one alternative
Dialogue: 0,0:04:34.58,0:04:35.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,over another,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.82,0:04:39.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then surely the alternatives must be equally good,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:39.80,0:04:41.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so maybe the right thing to say in hard choices
Dialogue: 0,0:04:41.65,0:04:44.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that they're between equally good options.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.77,0:04:45.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That can't be right.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.96,0:04:47.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If alternatives are equally good,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.56,0:04:49.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you should just flip a coin between them,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.90,0:04:51.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it seems a mistake to think,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.62,0:04:54.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,here's how you should decide between careers,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.55,0:04:58.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,places to live, people to marry: Flip a coin.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:58.51,0:05:00.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's another reason for thinking
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.31,0:05:02.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that hard choices aren't choices
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.61,0:05:05.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,between equally good options.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:05.94,0:05:09.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Suppose you have a choice between two jobs:
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.22,0:05:12.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you could be an investment banker
Dialogue: 0,0:05:12.43,0:05:14.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or a graphic artist.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.94,0:05:17.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are a variety of things\Nthat matter in such a choice,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.89,0:05:20.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like the excitement of the work,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:20.09,0:05:22.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,achieving financial security,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.38,0:05:24.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,having time to raise a family, and so on.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.75,0:05:27.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Maybe the artist's career puts you
Dialogue: 0,0:05:27.54,0:05:29.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on the cutting edge of new forms
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.98,0:05:31.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of pictorial expression.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:31.72,0:05:33.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Maybe the banking career
Dialogue: 0,0:05:33.47,0:05:34.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,puts you on the cutting edge
Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.87,0:05:39.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of new forms of financial manipulation.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.24,0:05:42.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Imagine the two jobs however you like
Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.32,0:05:45.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so that neither is better than the other.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.29,0:05:48.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now suppose we improve one of them a bit.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:48.38,0:05:50.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Suppose the bank, wooing you,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.88,0:05:54.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,adds 500 dollars a month to your salary.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.26,0:05:58.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Does the extra money now make the banking job
Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.04,0:06:00.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,better than the artist one?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.63,0:06:02.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not necessarily.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.83,0:06:04.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A higher salary makes the banking job
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.100,0:06:06.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,better than it was before,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.96,0:06:09.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it might not be enough to make
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.14,0:06:13.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,being a banker better than being an artist.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.11,0:06:15.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But if an improvement in one of the jobs
Dialogue: 0,0:06:15.76,0:06:17.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,doesn't make it better than the other,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:17.57,0:06:18.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then the two original jobs
Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.75,0:06:21.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,could not have been equally good.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:21.54,0:06:23.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you start with two things that are equally good,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.53,0:06:25.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you improve one of them,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:25.38,0:06:28.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it now must be better than the other.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:28.28,0:06:32.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's not the case with options in hard choices.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:32.90,0:06:35.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So now we've got a puzzle.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.62,0:06:37.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We've got two jobs.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.30,0:06:39.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Neither is better than the other,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:39.26,0:06:41.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,nor are they equally good.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:41.28,0:06:43.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So how are we supposed to choose?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.58,0:06:48.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Something seems to have gone wrong here.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.22,0:06:50.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Maybe the choice itself is problematic
Dialogue: 0,0:06:50.69,0:06:53.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and comparison is impossible.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.96,0:06:55.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But that can't be right.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:55.52,0:06:57.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not like we're trying to choose between
Dialogue: 0,0:06:57.33,0:06:59.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,two things that can't be compared.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:59.71,0:07:02.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We're weighing the merits of two jobs, after all,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.84,0:07:04.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not the merits of the number nine
Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.62,0:07:07.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a plate of fried eggs.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.80,0:07:11.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A comparison of the overall merits of two jobs
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.09,0:07:13.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is something we can make,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:13.09,0:07:17.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and one we often do make.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.06,0:07:19.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think the puzzle arises
Dialogue: 0,0:07:19.26,0:07:21.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because of an unreflective assumption
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.58,0:07:23.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we make about value.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.90,0:07:26.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We unwittingly assume that values
Dialogue: 0,0:07:26.96,0:07:29.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like justice, beauty, kindness,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.51,0:07:32.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are akin to scientific quantities,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.62,0:07:37.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like length, mass and weight.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:37.00,0:07:39.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Take any comparative question not involving value,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:39.92,0:07:43.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,such as which of two suitcases is heavier?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.59,0:07:46.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are only three possibilities.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.27,0:07:49.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The weight of one is greater, lesser
Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.40,0:07:52.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or equal to the weight of the other.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:52.29,0:07:54.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Properties like weight can be represented
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.59,0:07:57.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by real numbers -- one, two, three and so on --
Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.46,0:08:00.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and there are only three possible comparisons
Dialogue: 0,0:08:00.53,0:08:03.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,between any two real numbers.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:03.07,0:08:05.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One number is greater, lesser,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.46,0:08:08.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or equal to the other.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.20,0:08:10.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not so with values.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.99,0:08:13.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As post-Enlightenment creatures,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.29,0:08:15.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we tend to assume
Dialogue: 0,0:08:15.13,0:08:17.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that scientific thinking holds the key
Dialogue: 0,0:08:17.59,0:08:20.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to everything of importance in our world,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:20.84,0:08:22.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but the world of value
Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.30,0:08:24.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is different from the world of science.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.37,0:08:26.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The stuff of the one world
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.09,0:08:27.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can be quantified by real numbers.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:27.94,0:08:31.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The stuff of the other world can't.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:31.37,0:08:32.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We shouldn't assume
Dialogue: 0,0:08:32.82,0:08:35.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the world of is, of lengths and weights,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.46,0:08:38.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has the same structure as the world of ought,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:38.48,0:08:40.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of what we should do.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:40.54,0:08:42.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So if what matters to us --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:42.85,0:08:46.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a child's delight, the love\Nyou have for your partner —
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.26,0:08:48.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can't be represented by real numbers,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.100,0:08:51.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then there's no reason to believe
Dialogue: 0,0:08:51.00,0:08:54.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that in choice, there are only three possibilities --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:54.50,0:08:58.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that one alternative is better, worse or equal
Dialogue: 0,0:08:58.13,0:09:00.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the other.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.11,0:09:04.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We need to introduce a new, fourth relation
Dialogue: 0,0:09:04.18,0:09:07.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,beyond being better, worse or equal,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.83,0:09:11.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that describes what's going on in hard choices.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:11.54,0:09:13.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I like to say that the alternatives are
Dialogue: 0,0:09:13.70,0:09:15.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"on a par."
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.15,0:09:16.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When alternatives are on a par,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:16.75,0:09:19.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it may matter very much which you choose,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:19.93,0:09:23.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but one alternative isn't better than the other.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:23.22,0:09:25.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Rather, the alternatives are in
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.38,0:09:27.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the same neighborhood of value,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:27.66,0:09:29.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the same league of value,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:29.66,0:09:32.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while at the same time being very different
Dialogue: 0,0:09:32.18,0:09:33.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in kind of value.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:33.96,0:09:37.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's why the choice is hard.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:37.44,0:09:39.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Understanding hard choices in this way
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.80,0:09:43.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,uncovers something about ourselves we didn't know.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.85,0:09:46.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Each of us has the power
Dialogue: 0,0:09:46.20,0:09:49.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to create reasons.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:49.74,0:09:52.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Imagine a world in which every choice you face
Dialogue: 0,0:09:52.95,0:09:54.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is an easy choice,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:54.64,0:09:57.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that is, there's always a best alternative.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:57.03,0:09:58.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If there's a best alternative,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.78,0:10:00.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then that's the one you should choose,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:00.22,0:10:02.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because part of being rational
Dialogue: 0,0:10:02.23,0:10:04.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is doing the better thing rather than the worse thing,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:04.82,0:10:08.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,choosing what you have most reason to choose.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.04,0:10:10.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In such a world,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.10,0:10:12.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we'd have most reason
Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.47,0:10:14.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to wear black socks instead of pink socks,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.95,0:10:16.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to eat cereal instead of donuts,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:16.86,0:10:18.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to live in the city rather than the country,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:18.47,0:10:20.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to marry Betty instead of Lolita.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:20.67,0:10:23.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A world full of only easy choices
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.79,0:10:27.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,would enslave us to reasons.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:27.68,0:10:30.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When you think about it,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.25,0:10:32.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it's nuts to believe
Dialogue: 0,0:10:32.85,0:10:35.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the reasons given to you
Dialogue: 0,0:10:35.94,0:10:40.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,dictated that you had most reason to pursue
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.93,0:10:43.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the exact hobbies you do,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:43.69,0:10:45.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to live in the exact house you do,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.97,0:10:49.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to work at the exact job you do.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:49.21,0:10:51.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Instead, you faced alternatives
Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.73,0:10:55.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that were on a par, hard choices,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:55.15,0:10:57.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you made reasons for yourself
Dialogue: 0,0:10:57.92,0:11:02.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to choose that hobby, that house and that job.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:02.54,0:11:05.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When alternatives are on a par,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.08,0:11:06.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the reasons given to us, the ones
Dialogue: 0,0:11:06.81,0:11:09.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that determine whether we're making a mistake,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.58,0:11:12.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are silent as to what to do.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:12.64,0:11:16.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's here, in the space of hard choices,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:16.00,0:11:18.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we get to exercise
Dialogue: 0,0:11:18.48,0:11:21.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our normative power,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:21.16,0:11:23.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the power to create reasons for yourself,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:23.62,0:11:25.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to make yourself
Dialogue: 0,0:11:25.38,0:11:28.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,into the kind of person
Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.03,0:11:30.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for whom country living
Dialogue: 0,0:11:30.26,0:11:32.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is preferable to the urban life.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.100,0:11:34.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When we choose between
Dialogue: 0,0:11:34.73,0:11:36.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,options that are on a par,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:36.43,0:11:40.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we can do something really rather remarkable.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:40.21,0:11:43.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We can put our very selves behind an option.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:43.93,0:11:46.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here's where I stand.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:46.75,0:11:50.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here's who I am. I am for banking.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:50.13,0:11:53.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I am for chocolate donuts.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:53.77,0:11:56.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This response in hard choices
Dialogue: 0,0:11:56.31,0:11:58.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is a rational response,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:58.40,0:12:01.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it's not dictated by reasons given to us.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:01.32,0:12:07.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Rather, it's supported by reasons created by us.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:07.76,0:12:10.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When we create reasons for ourselves
Dialogue: 0,0:12:10.17,0:12:13.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to become this kind of person rather than that,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:13.48,0:12:17.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we wholeheartedly become the people that we are.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:17.22,0:12:19.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You might say that we become the authors
Dialogue: 0,0:12:19.67,0:12:22.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of our own lives.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:22.76,0:12:25.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when we face hard choices,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:25.21,0:12:27.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we shouldn't beat our head against a wall
Dialogue: 0,0:12:27.43,0:12:29.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,trying to figure out which alternative is better.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.93,0:12:32.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is no best alternative.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:32.37,0:12:34.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Instead of looking for reasons out there,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:34.89,0:12:37.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we should be looking for reasons in here:
Dialogue: 0,0:12:37.47,0:12:40.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Who am I to be?
Dialogue: 0,0:12:40.15,0:12:43.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You might decide to be a pink sock-wearing,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:43.31,0:12:46.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,cereal-loving, country-living banker,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:46.100,0:12:50.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I might decide to be a black sock-wearing,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:50.57,0:12:54.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,urban, donut-loving artist.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:54.03,0:12:56.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What we do in hard choices is very much
Dialogue: 0,0:12:56.84,0:13:00.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,up to each of us.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:00.82,0:13:05.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, people who don't exercise their\Nnormative powers in hard choices
Dialogue: 0,0:13:05.47,0:13:07.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are drifters.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:07.09,0:13:09.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We all know people like that.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:09.17,0:13:11.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I drifted into being a lawyer.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:11.32,0:13:13.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I didn't put my agency behind lawyering.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.41,0:13:16.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wasn't for lawyering.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:16.09,0:13:19.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Drifters allow the world
Dialogue: 0,0:13:19.02,0:13:21.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to write the story of their lives.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:21.24,0:13:25.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They let mechanisms of reward and punishment --
Dialogue: 0,0:13:25.15,0:13:28.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,pats on the head, fear, the easiness of an option —
Dialogue: 0,0:13:28.99,0:13:31.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to determine what they do.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:31.66,0:13:34.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the lesson of hard choices
Dialogue: 0,0:13:34.13,0:13:38.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,reflect on what you can put your agency behind,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:38.61,0:13:40.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on what you can be for,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:40.100,0:13:43.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and through hard choices,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.77,0:13:46.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,become that person.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:46.55,0:13:49.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Far from being sources of agony and dread,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:49.72,0:13:53.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hard choices are precious opportunities
Dialogue: 0,0:13:53.29,0:13:55.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for us to celebrate what is special
Dialogue: 0,0:13:55.22,0:13:57.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about the human condition,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:57.06,0:13:59.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that the reasons that govern our choices
Dialogue: 0,0:13:59.69,0:14:01.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as correct or incorrect
Dialogue: 0,0:14:01.67,0:14:03.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sometimes run out,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:03.33,0:14:06.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it is here, in the space of hard choices,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:06.56,0:14:08.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we have the power
Dialogue: 0,0:14:08.24,0:14:10.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to create reasons for ourselves
Dialogue: 0,0:14:10.76,0:14:14.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to become the distinctive people that we are.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:14.34,0:14:16.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that's why hard choices are not a curse
Dialogue: 0,0:14:16.96,0:14:18.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but a godsend.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:18.60,0:14:21.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:21.28,0:14:24.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)