Heuristics and biases are mental shortcuts our brains use to make quick judgments, yet they often lead us astray in predictable ways. The availability heuristic makes us overestimate the likelihood of events that are vivid orrecent, such as fearing plane crashes more than heart disease. The representativeness heuristic tempts us to judge probabilities based on how much something resembles a stereotype, rather than on real data, like assuming someone who is quiet and bookish is more likely to be a librarian than a farmer, even though
farmers are far more common. Anchoring shows how our first exposure to a number, no matter how arbitrary, can shape our decisions, from estimating prices to making medical choices. These systematic thinking errors remind us that even our “common sense” can mislead us, but by recognising them we gain power: doctors can make clearer diagnoses, patients can make better health choices, and policymakers can design safer, more effective systems. The study of heuristics and biases not only deepens our understanding of the human mind, but it also equips us with tools to overcome hidden pitfalls, fostering better decisions that ultimately support health, wellbeing, and a more compassionate society. Jesus advises us to recognise and remove our own biases before attempting to help others work on theirs (Matthew 7:3-5).