We have highlighted them again below:
Are our actions fundamentally rational? Do we make decisions largely because we have weighed up well beforehand what the best decision is?
Emotions are always involved in our decisions. These emotions are related to our basic needs. If one or more of our basic needs is not fulfilled, we have an unpleasant feeling that prompts us to do something so that we can feel better again. If we can have empathy for ourselves, for others and for all of us in the future when we make decisions, we are certainly taking a step in a more right direction: we are making more respectful and responsible choices.
Are there always, or at least mostly, rational reasons behind what we agree with? Do we agree or disagree with what we have thoroughly informed ourselves about in advance?
Of course, information plays an important role. But it is far from the case that we make all decisions on the basis of rational considerations alone. Choice theory is a theory of motivation. One of the postulates of this theory is that our basic needs constantly motivate us to act. And that's where our emotions come in. It makes us feel uncomfortable when we realise that one or more of our basic needs are not being met right now. Ultimately, it is emotions that give us the drive to make a decision and then to implement what we have decided. It is important that we recognise which of our basic needs are affected at a particular moment. Then we can start looking for a good strategy (good for myself, good for others, and good for all of us together in the future).
How do we humans make decisions? What influences our thinking, feeling and acting?
If we know that emotions influence our thinking, feeling and acting, then it is especially important to have good access to them and the needs behind them.
At this point we would like to refer once again to Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of Nonviolent Communication, who says: "Everything we do, we do because of needs. All needs serve life. Nothing we do is bad. But some strategies for satisfying our needs alienate us from others."
Good access to our own feelings and to the feelings of others supports responsible, considerate and respectful behaviour. And we need this if we want to actively strengthen our democracy.
And what contribution can the school itself make to support young people in becoming mature and responsible inhabitants of the earth? Can we humans change our perspective? Is this even possible in the light of recent very worrying developments?
School must not stop becoming a place where our children can flourish. It is much more important than constant demands for performance that children learn to cooperate and show consideration for each other. Then they can develop freely. Then they can learn to take responsibility. Then they can accept other people and their opinions and search together for good solutions in the sense of a good strategy (good for myself, good for the others, and good for all of us together in the future).