counterfactual reasoning

Counterfactual reasoning involves imagining what might have happened if certain conditions or decisions had been different. It's like asking, "What if?" questions about past events to understand cause-and-effect. For example, thinking, "If I had left the house earlier, I wouldn't have missed the bus." This kind of reasoning helps people learn from past experiences, make better decisions, and understand how different factors influence outcomes. It's a natural mental process used daily, whether focusing on past mistakes or planning future actions.