Ethical Strategies for an Irrational World

We’ve all heard of tricks of the eye before, but what about tricks of the mind?  As much as we would like to believe that we are rational thinkers and we base our decisions on evidence alone, the reality is far more complicated. 

This presentation will explore tricks of the mind, specifically the unseen biases that affect all of us and threaten to lead us astray on a daily basis.  Whether it is being overly optimistic about a project’s success, dismissing the risk to the public, or making poor choices to avoid a small loss, our most important decisions are often shaped by completely unrelated factors (including how long it has been since we have last eaten).  And while the effects may be minor in many circumstances, they can also lead to serious ethical lapses.  At worst, they can potentially lead to catastrophic results such as the pedestrian bridge collapse at the Florida International University or the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion, both of which will be explored.   

Together, we will explore some of the mental shortcuts and illusions that are most commonly encountered by engineers.  And more importantly, we’ll explore how to combat their impact in the workplace.  My hope is you will never again think the same way about how you think.