Question. Why do you behave immorally sometimes?

Answer. Some combination of instinct and learned behavior. Conscious thought has almost nothing to do with it. Usually, I rationalize a reason only after I have already performed the action.

Rationalized Answer. It was a lapse in judgment. Why don’t you ask me about all those times I behaved morally? None of those were lapses in judgment.

Q. Where do you get your morality from?

A. My environment. I was trained to behave this way.

RA. I logically concluded that it is best to be moral. You know, it’s amazing how many people there are who don’t share my morality. I should probably spread the word or something.

Q. Why do you have so much less than some people?

A. I was not as fortunate as them.

RA. I haven’t worked hard enough. Now you’re making me wish I didn’t call in sick today.

Q. Why do you have so much more than most people?

A. I was in the right place at the right time.

RA. I am just way better than most people, apparently. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea to call in sick today after all. I can just make up for it tomorrow with my superhuman levels of productivity.

Q. Why do you keep rationalizing your behavior?

A. I don’t know.

RA. Did I rationalize my behavior? It’s probably better that way.