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Put simply, behavioural economics argues that human beings' decision-taking is guided by the evolutionary baggage which we bring with us to the present day. Evolution has made us rational to a point, but not perfectly so. It has given us emotions, for example, which programme us to override our rational brain and act more instinctively.

Very ancient parts of the brain are involved in moral decision making.

Our everyday lives are filled with complex decisions. We long for simplicity and ordinariness.

Sometimes, people aren't as consciously aware of their decisions as they should be.

We almost always have choices, and the better the choice, the more we will be in control of our lives.

We make choices but are constantly foiled by happenstance.

It is the ability to choose which makes us human.

We are people in circumstances who make choices that we think are right at the time.

Humans are distinguished from other species by a massive brain that enables us to imagine a future and influence it by what we do in the present. By using experience, knowledge and insight, our ancestors recognized they could anticipate dangers and opportunities and take steps to exploit advantages and avoid hazards.