Why do we want things that we know aren't right for us?

Question

As in your decisions in life, not as in having ice cream for breakfast kind of thing :)

Answer 1

Sometimes ice cream for breakfast can be one of those life decisions... if you have problems with over eating.  Its not so much wanting things that aren't right for you, its almost a self-harming behavior.  Sometimes people know that they're doing something that will only end up hurting them in the end, and from a psychological stand point, its because the person has a deep seated anger that they aim at themselves.

Answer 2

Because we don't want to see ourselves fail in something we truly want. So we settle for things that don't appeal to us as much so if we happen to fail, it won't be like losing something precious to us.

Answer 3

Self-gratification, and Self-glorification.