A foundational concept from [[Thinking, Fast and Slow]]:
System 1 and System 2 are two ways of thinking.
System 1 ("hot cognition") is quick, effortless, and intuitive. It makes quick judgments based on past experiences. It recognizes a weird person on the corner of your eye. The majority of the decisions are made by System 1.
System 2 ("cold cognition") is slow, deliberate, and analytical, requiring conscious effort and attention. It's used when solving a math problem or planning a trip.
#published 2025-02-21