Earlier this week, we spoke about the difference between relief and resolution. The more interesting question is why the confusion happens so easily in the first place.
The mind does not like open questions. An unanswered question creates tension, and the longer it stays open, the more uncomfortable it becomes.
So the mind starts looking for an answer that will allow the question to close. The first answer that feels plausible and reduces the tension is often accepted, regardless of whether it is correct. The reason? It allows the search to stop. So the answer produces relief. The relief is interpreted as confirmation that the answer was right. And the question closes. The problem is that this is often long before it should have closed.
Many decisions are not the result of deep understanding. They are the result of the mind trying to end the discomfort of not knowing.
Some of the most important thinking, is learning how to stay with a question longer than is comfortable.