32 Rationalising

The Fox and the Grapes: A hungry Fox was attracted by some fine bunches of grapes hanging from a highly placed vine. He tried to reach them by jumping high in the air but it was all in vain. So he gave up and walked away saying to himself, "I thought the grapes were ripe but now I know that they are sour.".

Muni, a farm labourer, had a chronic heart disease and was on medications. He was advised to undergo a heart surgery to improve the quality of his life. He tried his best to raise the necessary funds but could not do it. So he gave up trying and said, "I thought that the operation meant freedom from taking drugs, but it is not so. All the operated persons also take drugs. I see that the operation is not useful." and went back to taking medicines.

Comments

Rationalisation is a thought process by which one attempts to justify one's action by consciously or unconsciously distorting the truth. In the case of Muni, surgery was advised not to stop taking drugs but to improve the quality of life. Since he could not afford it, he distorted this by relating surgery to freedom from drugs.

Many psychologists believe that rationalisation as a coping mechanism is a web that conceals internal conflicts, disappointments, or anxiety. It is a protective mechanism that makes the person forget the source of anxiety or disappointment and carry on with life. Rationalisation is perhaps a better coping mechanism than some other destructive behaviour.

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