Brace Yourself: Prospects and Problems for Improving the Mental Environment

Abstract

Psychology and cognitive science have given us important insights into human irrationality: notably into the sources of our cognitive biases and the features of our environments that are likely to either ameliorate or exacerbate them. Combined with theories from political science, these developments enable us to explain individual and political irrationality. In this thesis I will explore a new type of public policy tool, which has been discussed in existing literature but not yet given a systematic treatment. I will call these policies braces. They are intended to structure our environments in ways that combat irrationality. I will explore the relation of braces to existing public policy tools such as nudges and boosts; argue that braces can be given a coherent normative justification; argue that concrete applications for braces exist; and, finally, explore some of the practical issues which could prevent braces from being successfully implemented in our current political environments.