Behavioural economics

Taken from a discussion of behavioural economics over at naked capitalism;

Is it possible to combine rationality with human existence at all?

"Best of all for mortal beings is never to have been born at all
Nor ever to have set eyes on the bright light of the sun
But, since he is born, a man should make utmost haste through the gates of Death
And then repose, the earth piled into a mound round himself."

A truly rational computer would simply turn itself off. We don't, because we're evolutionarily programmed not to, but that's not rational.

See also The Wheel of Existence.