What we think we decide

Manners, mannerisms, and sense of relative standing are much more important to us than beliefs we can declare. Beliefs are of secondary importance, especially in terms of initiating behavior, to automatic responses. The actions of those who “believe” in human equality will belie that “belief”; those who most treasure, and strive for, honesty, will yet readily discard it in preference for a “white lie” to protect the feelings of someone they cherish. The opinions and judgments of one who has offended us, no matter how spot-on correct, can be very hard to accept. We do not decide all that we think we do.