In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus instructs his crew members to tie him to the mast of the ship so that he is not later tempted by the Siren's song. Which of the following irrational behaviors was he trying to avoid?
A)People are overconfident.
B)People behave in a time inconsistent manner.
C)People give too much weight to a small number of vivid observations.
D)People are reluctant to change their minds.

Question

In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus instructs his crew members to tie him to the mast of the ship so that he is not later tempted by the Siren's song. Which of the following irrational behaviors was he trying to avoid?
A)​People are overconfident.
B)​People behave in a time inconsistent manner.
C)​People give too much weight to a small number of vivid observations.
D)​People are reluctant to change their minds.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Odysseus was trying to avoid giving in to his immediate impulse to follow the Siren's song, which would have led to long-term negative consequences. This is an example of time inconsistency, where people tend to prioritize short-term gains over long-term benefits.

In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus Instructs His Crew Members to Tie