Marcus Aurelius: I answer, That which thou sayest is…

A statement can sound logical and still lead you wrong. We are especially vulnerable when an argument gives us permission to do what we already want: retaliate, avoid responsibility, overspend, or dismiss someone. A plausible excuse is not the same thing as sound judgment.

Before you accept a conclusion, slow down. What evidence is missing? What assumption am I treating as fact? Would I find this reasoning convincing if it benefited someone else instead of me? The mind is remarkably skilled at building elegant defenses for impulsive choices.

This is useful in arguments too. You do not have to call someone stupid because their conclusion is flawed. You can acknowledge the piece that is true, then show where it stopped being true. Today, be suspicious of any reasoning that instantly flatters your ego or removes all responsibility. Clear thinking asks more of us than a convenient answer.