In A Field Of Reason Lawyers Woo Luck Too Summary

Li Ow-Wing

PM Core

Explaining the Behavior of Lawyers

The two articles, “In a Field of Reason Lawyers Woo Luck Too” by Benjamin Weiser and “Embrace the Supernatural- How Superstitions, Placebos and Rituals Help You Achieve Your Goals” by Thorin Klosowski explore the concept of superstitions and how they can help and harm the mind. Many may think that superstitions don’t make sense or don’t work, but it is backed by the science of the placebo effect or a psychological effect caused by the belief or faith in a drug or ritual. Superstitions and rituals work as a placebo effect on the mind and can change the outcome of any given situation by altering the user’s performance on the task. Lawyers, always thought of as logical and straightforward

“You plant an idea in your head, allow yourself to believe in magic, and then believe doing something in a particular way or wearing a trinket will help you perform better.” (Klosowski, pg 13 line 50) A ritual is simply a routine done to focus one’s mind in a mantra like way, but it turns into a superstition after the user begins to apply a belief in the power of the ritual and puts it into the universe’s hands to handle the situation. Lawyers as do many other people rely on the mystical powers of the world to bolster their confidence and give them the slim upper hand in the effort to win a case. It might be wearing a “lucky tie” (Weiser, pg 4 line 27) or “never getting a haircut during a case” (Weiser, pg 4 line 29), but regardless, superstitions and rituals provide an “illusion of control” (Klosowski, pg 14 line 75), something that boosts the confidence and changes the mindset of the

During a case, he would always eat at the same restaurant and order the same food, a Mayan sun salad with a side of salmon filet. He imbued the food with the magical power to help him on his cases. This act boosted his confidence and gave him an illusion of control over the situation. Richman also used pattern recognition to see that whenever he ate that specific meal, he won his case, so he continued to eat there. Although the superstition could be helpful, it could also be harmful. The salmon or salad could run out and Murray would be at a loss without his traditional meal for good luck.

Gerald L. Shargel another New York lawyer, used karma for his source of luck. Shargel never passed up a beggar during a whole trial and gave each of them a $20 bill, which would result in good karma. As with several superstitions, this gave him an illusion of control and a boost in confidence, but it also had many downsides. Shargel could be walking around on a crowded street filled with beggars and not have enough money for all of them, hence bringing down his courage and weakening his