Wild Problems - Book Summary

Navigating life's complex choices: Why going beyond logic is sometimes necessary

What exactly are wild problems? These are the tough, intractable issues you encounter that no high-tech app, sophisticated algorithm, or detailed pro-versus-con list can resolve. They pop up in major life decisions regarding marriage, family, and career — areas that deeply shape your identity and life's direction. For such profound decisions, the answer often lies not in cold calculations but in a more intuitive and principled approach.

The true value of the best decision, such as the joy from a fulfilling marriage or the satisfaction derived from a meaningful career, cannot be simply tabulated or measured. These experiences are profound, often defying straightforward description or quantification.

Throughout history, many scholars, from scientists to philosophers, have wrestled with how we make decisions. However, no single method suits everyone due to our distinct personalities and individual paths to fulfillment. Although logical reasoning has its place — helping us choose everything from mundane items like toothpaste to significant health decisions like surgeries — it might fall short when confronted with a wild problem. These problems demand more than logic; they require introspection and a deep understanding of our values and desires.

In exploring Russ Roberts' perspective, we delve into strategies for engaging with these wild problems. It's not just about finding solutions but also about thriving amid the uncertainties they present. This exploration will cover why a basic pros and cons list might fail you in crucial moments, reflect on Charles Darwin's personal deliberations, and draw unexpected lessons from strategies like those used in the NFL Draft. Each of these points offers a unique lens on how embracing a broader, more integrated approach to decision-making can lead to richer, more satisfying outcomes in life's most complex scenarios.

Embracing the unknown: Why some life choices can't be mapped out on paper

Every day, we're faced with decisions. Some are simple and straightforward, like choosing between pizza or sushi for dinner, deciding between a road trip or a beach vacation, or even selecting the type of dental braces. These are what Russ Roberts categorizes as "tame problems." Although they vary in their level of importance and impact, tame problems share a common characteristic: they can be approached through rational, logical pathways, where science and systematic thinking can guide us to a solution.

Whether it’s finding the best route to the airport using Google Maps, choosing a restaurant based on Yelp reviews, or selecting a surgeon through patient feedback and professional statistics, these decisions have precise, attainable goals.

Then, there are far more complex questions, like whether to have a child, whether to marry, or choosing between being a jazz musician or a computer scientist. These do not just entail choosing between clearly defined alternatives. They are what Roberts calls "wild problems" — profound questions with no right answers and no clear end points, that are deeply woven into the fabric of who we are and who we wish to become.

In earlier times, guidance on such profound issues might have come from family, religious leaders, or community elders. However, modern society often requires us to make these pivotal decisions on our own, steering through life without a clear compass.

Historical thinkers from Erasmus to Benjamin Franklin grappled with decision-making, often recommending tools like pro-con lists. While helpful for simpler decisions, Roberts points out a critical flaw when applied to wild problems: the essence of some choices remains fundamentally unknowable until experienced.

Consider what Roberts terms the "vampire problem." If deciding whether to become a vampire, no amount of pro-vs-con assessment can truly capture the experience. You can hypothesize, but you can’t know for sure until you are one. And once transformed, there is no return. This metaphor extends to life-changing decisions like parenting or marriage, where the full reality of the choice unfolds only through living it.

This is what makes wild problems so distinct and challenging compared to the more manageable, tame ones. As we delve deeper, we'll explore why traditional decision-making tools like pro-con lists might not just be inadequate, but could potentially lead us astray when facing the uncertainties of wild problems.

Life's richest choices: Seeking fulfillment beyond the pros and cons

From democracy to the Olympics, the ancient Greeks have enriched world culture with countless innovations. Among their lesser-known but profoundly impactful concepts is "eudaemonia," a term signifying "flourishing" — living a rich, full life, which goes far beyond what any pro-con list can dictate.

Eudaemonia is not merely about experiencing pleasure or avoiding pain, which are transient states. It encompasses a broader, long-term vision of deeply engaging with life, embracing beauty, integrity, and passion — even when those paths involve discomfort or challenge, much like the strenuous yet rewarding ascent of a mountain.

Consider the multifaceted decision of having and raising children. Any parent will attest that this brings unparalleled highs and profound lows. The complex emotions involved in parenting are not easily captured by a simplistic tally of advantages and disadvantages. The deep, emotional spectrum defies the neat columns of a pro-con list.

Historically, even noted figures like Charles Darwin and Franz Kafka struggled with such lists when contemplating marriage. They attempted to balance the benefits of a lifelong companion against personal ambitions that might demand their time and energy.

In navigating such life-altering decisions, Russ Roberts suggests envisioning your life as you would a journey to a place like Rome. You might have vague ideas of visiting landmarks and enjoying local cuisines, but no traveler can fully anticipate the personal resonance of their experiences. Similarly, when contemplating marriage, it is more about finding a companion who shares your fundamental values and interests, someone suited for the long haul of life's journey, irrespective of the details that remain unknown.

This approach underlies the essence of handling "wild problems." It’s not about perfect calculations or complete information but about embracing the uncertainty and intrinsic unknowns of these decisions.

Roberts' perspective invites us to reassess how we make decisions not just concerning marriage, but across all significant aspects of life: choosing careers, forming friendships, engaging in community, and even spiritual pursuits. Each decision circles back to the profound question of identity — "Who am I?"

Remembering Darwin and Kafka, each faced similar decisions with vastly different outcomes. Darwin chose marriage, resulting in a fulfilling personal life alongside a historic scientific career. Kafka chose solitude, dedicating his life to literature, which also cemented his legacy. Each man flourished in his own unique way, adhering to personal truth rather than a scripted calculus of pros and cons.

This narrative guides us to recognize that life’s most meaningful decisions often require diving into the unknown, trusting not in a list but in our deeper understanding of ourselves and our aspirations. This, according to Roberts, is the path to true eudaemonia — flourishing in an unpredictable world by making choices aligned with our deepest values and desires.

Guided by values: The principle-driven path to decision making

In the pursuit of flourishing through life's major decisions, also known as wild problems, it's essential to find a method that not only suits our needs but also aligns with who we are. While many of us rely on standard decision-making frameworks that involve analyzing what's desirable and feasible, these logical models often fall short in handling life's unpredictable nature. Issues like impulse, coincidence, and personal biases can disrupt even the most rational approaches.

Russ Roberts provides a compelling solution to this dilemma by advocating for decisions that preserve our sense of self. He suggests a principle-anchored approach to decision-making, which emphasizes staying true to one's core values over merely weighing pros and cons.

Let's delve into a narrative that encapsulates this philosophy. During a vacation, Roberts and his wife faced a distressing situation when she lost a treasured diamond earring, a cherished anniversary gift. Despite an initial, thorough search in their hotel room turning up nothing, they resolved not to allow the loss to overshadow their plans for the day. Upon returning from a hike, they were greeted by a gracious surprise—her earring was lying on a note in their new room, left there by Teodora, the housekeeper from their previous room.

Teodora's decision to return the earring went beyond simple calculations of gain or loss. She was not motivated by potential rewards or the fear of consequences; rather, her actions were driven by a deep-seated principle of honesty and doing the right thing. She acted on her self-view as someone who embodies integrity, choosing a course of action that aligned with her identity.

This story beautifully illustrates how our decisions can be guided by a principle-centered approach. To apply this in our own lives, consider a simple yet profound exercise. Complete the statement: "I am the person who..." This could range from always voting, helping a friend in need, to being straightforward in all conversations. This self-definition becomes a guiding star, ensuring that your decisions align with your deepest values.

Adopting this perspective transforms how we tackle wild problems. Rather than getting bogged down by the mechanics of pros-versus-cons lists, we focus on decisions that resonate with our principles. This not only simplifies complex decisions but also ensures that our choices reflect and reinforce our true selves.

Through this method, we can navigate life's unpredictable paths in a way that fosters true fulfillment, making decisions not just with our minds, but with our hearts and ethical compass, directing us toward a life that truly flourishes.

Embrace flexibility in decision-making: Lessons from the gridiron

In the realm of decision-making, sometimes the most insightful lessons come from unexpected sources. Take, for instance, Bill Belichick, the renowned head coach of the New England Patriots. His strategies during the NFL Draft provide a compelling metaphor for addressing life's unpredictable challenges, or what we've termed "wild problems."

In the intricate process of the NFL Draft, teams meticulously analyze countless hours of game footage, assess player statistics, and conduct in-depth interviews to cherry-pick from the incoming class of college players. While Belichick has the prestige and resources to secure top-tier early picks, he's notably adept at trading these for multiple later-round picks. This strategy indicates a willingness to forego a single high-prospect player for several potential prospects.

Belichick's approach underscores a crucial lesson in decision-making: the value of embracing uncertainty and maintaining flexibility. His readiness to adjust his choices based on evolving circumstances illustrates the concept of optionality. This concept allows for retaining the freedom to act without commitment to a specific course, much like a company such as Zappos offers free returns to provide customers with peace of mind when ordering shoes online.

How does this translate to solving wild problems in our own lives? It suggests an approach where trying multiple paths can lead to the best outcomes. This strategy is akin to selecting a university — despite extensive research and conversations with alumni, the true essence of the experience only reveals itself through personal attendance.

We've all faced moments when a commitment — be it a dish at a new restaurant, a cross-country move, or even a relationship — didn't pan out as expected. The key takeaway from Belichick's method is the empowerment to acknowledge missteps and pivot accordingly without self-reproach. Learning to comfortably navigate changes and correct courses is fundamental in managing life's complexities.

Consider the creative process described by writer William Faulkner, who once noted that characters, once fully conceived in his mind and aligned with their truth, almost dictate their own stories. Like Faulkner, who revised his narratives tirelessly to refine their essence, we too might benefit from viewing our decisions and life paths as works in progress.

Approaching life with a mindset that values experimentation over precision allows us to discover and engage more deeply with our passions and pursuits. It transforms life from a series of transactions — where each decision is weighed and measured for maximum benefit — into a journey of exploration and self-discovery.

Instead of seeking to control every outcome, embracing a flexible and open approach can help us navigate the wild problems of life, allowing us to adjust our paths and ultimately find fulfillment in ways we might never have anticipated.

Essential takeaways for decision-making in life

At the core of navigating life's decisions, especially the profound, so-called "wild problems," is a guiding principle: decision-making should transcend mere utilitarian calculations of benefit. Instead, the process should deeply integrate and reflect one's personal identity and core values.

Emphasizing this alignment between decisions and one's ethical compass or principles not only enriches the journey but also ensures that choices resonate more deeply with our personal narratives. This principle-centered approach fosters a sense of authenticity and integrity in the decisions we make.

Moreover, this journey is not about perfection. It is equally important to acknowledge the human element of error — the inevitability of making mistakes. The freedom to reassess and redirect our paths without harsh self-judgment is crucial. It offers us resilience and the adaptability to evolve through life's unpredictable turns.

In essence, leading a fulfilling life is less about strictly adhering to a prescriptive path and more about navigating our course with flexibility, guided by our deepest values and an openness to learn from every experience. This approach not only enhances personal growth but also ensures that our life's narrative is genuinely and uniquely our own.