What is ecological rationality?
Ecological rationality is the idea that human intelligence is not a fixed, abstract capacity, but rather a toolbox of abilities that are adapted to the structure of the environment. Instead of asking if a decision is rational in an absolute sense, we should ask if it is rational given the specific constraints and information available in a particular environment. My research shows that what might seem like a simple, even irrational, heuristic can be highly adaptive and lead to good outcomes when matched with the right circumstances.
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