The similarity between me and my Thermostat on the wall

The Contrarian wonders about the difference between himself

and the thermostat that hangs by a nail on his wall

The thermostat senses the ambient temperature in his home

and indicate that the heating be turned off when it is warm enough.

The contrarian likewise senses this and is propelled to turn down his heating

So what is the difference between the thermosats 'knowing'

and the contrarians 'knowing'