Today, sustaining contradictions in subjective truth through denial and error is commonplace. How can we help people see how this leads to flawed decisions, like re-electing Trump?
It’s time to inspect why people deny science and accept conspiracies over facts. Many people work hard, maintaining a paradox that defies facts and common sense. This leads them to make poor decisions. Galileo sums up this mindset.
By denying scientific principles, one may maintain any paradox. — Galileo Galilei
This quote shows that ignoring science can lead people to believe in things that don’t make sense. How does this happen? What convinces someone to ignore facts in favor of something else?
Navigating Subjective Realities
Subjective truth is what someone believes to be accurate based on their feelings, thoughts, or experiences. It can differ for each person because it’s based on personal views. At the same time, objective truth is a fact that is true for everyone. It does not depend on beliefs or feelings. Objective truths are based on evidence and can be proven.
One must learn to decode the elements of a worldview to navigate subjective realities. It involves recognizing the elements that shape their worldview. These include personal experiences, emotions, culture, and beliefs. Here are some key points to help navigate subjective realities. These include:
— Beliefs: What you think is true about the world and life.
— Values: What you think is important and worth caring about.
— Ethics: How you decide what is right and wrong.
— Purpose: What you believe is the meaning or goal of life.
— Knowledge: How you know what you know and what you believe is real.
— Concept of Reality: What you believe about reality includes things you can see and things you can’t.
We must recognize that everyone has a unique worldview. This helps us see why people value the same situation differently. Approaching it this way promotes a more caring and accepting attitude.
Here are some common subjective truth examples:
— Personal Beliefs: One might believe chocolate ice cream is the best flavor. This is a subjective opinion, not a truth, based on their taste. Someone else might think vanilla is the best.
— Cultural Norms: In some cultures, greeting people with a bow is normal. In others, people shake hands. Each culture’s way of greeting is a subjective, accepted truth because it’s based on their traditions and customs.
— Opinions on Art: One person might think a painting is beautiful, while another might not like it at all. These are subjective opinions because they depend on individual preferences.
Knowing the differences between subjective and objective truths explains why people’s views differ. Navigating subjective realities requires knowledge of the elements of the worldview, which aren’t always fully understood. Maintaining a paradox based on inaccurate information is possible because we don’t know or understand these elements.
1. Denial — Sustaining Contradictions in Subjective Truth
Denial is refusing to accept the truth or reality of something, even when there is clear evidence. It is a way for people to protect themselves from uncomfortable or upsetting facts. Psychologically, denial helps people avoid feelings of fear, guilt, or anxiety.
Sustaining contradictions in subjective truth through denial and error is hard work. It takes constant effort. This effort often results in the condition known as cognitive dissonance.
Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort felt when a person holds two conflicting beliefs. To get rid of this uncomfortable feeling, people might deny facts that go against their beliefs. For example, a person might feel secure in their belief that smoking is harmless. But if they find out it causes cancer, they may deny it. This helps them avoid feeling guilty about smoking.
The Mechanisms of Denial
The process of denying information without considering the data is a learned mechanism. It is often the result of indoctrination tactics. Religions often use ongoing indoctrination. This reinforces the dismissal of ideas that don’t fit their strict beliefs. This becomes an automatic filter we call confirmation bias.
Confirmation bias happens when people seek and trust information that supports their beliefs. They often ignore anything that goes against those beliefs. This bias strengthens denial. People focus only on what they already agree with. For example, if someone doubts climate change, they might only read articles that call it a hoax. So, they ignore scientific studies that show it is happening.
Three primary sources shape and strengthen this mindset of misinformation. Extremist social media, politics, and religion are powerful forces in the culture. These three sources use groupthink tactics to make people believe what they say.
There are specific mechanisms that are common for sustaining contradictions in subjective truth.
Denial works by rejecting scientific facts and evidence. When people are in denial, they ignore or dismiss information that doesn’t fit with what they want to believe. This can happen in several ways:
— Ignore Evidence: People ignore or pretend that the evidence doesn’t exist.
— Question the Source: They question the trustworthiness of the information.
— Alternative Explanations: They come up with other reasons to explain the facts away.
Subjective Truth Examples Related to Science
Here are some examples where denial has led to the disregard of scientific facts:
— Climate Change Denial: Many people still deny climate change. This is surprising since there is strong scientific proof that it’s real and caused by human actions. They might say that the science is not settled or that climate change is a natural process.
— Anti-Vaccine Movements: Some people think vaccines can be harmful. Despite this, scientific evidence shows that vaccines are secure and effective. This denial can lead to outbreaks of diseases that could have been prevented by vaccination.
Understanding how denial works helps us see why some hold beliefs that contradict scientific facts and common sense. With this information, we can devise ways to overcome their objections. Navigating subjective realities is made more difficult by errors in thinking.
2. Errors — Sustaining Faulty Thinking
Errors in thinking contribute to flawed decision-making. Sustaining contradictions in subjective truth through denial and error is a problem in our modern culture.
Errors in reasoning are mistakes people make when they think or argue about something. These mistakes can lead to wrong conclusions and misunderstandings. When people make these errors, they often end up with harmful beliefs. There are many types of errors in reasoning, but some common ones include:
— Logical Fallacies: These are mistakes in the way people argue. They make the argument weak or invalid.
— Circular Reasoning: This is when the conclusion of an argument is used as a reason to support itself, creating a loop that proves nothing.
Common fallacies related to errors in thinking include:
Begging the question is a type of circular reasoning. It happens when someone assumes what they are trying to prove is already true. If someone says, “Reading is essential because it is enjoyable to read.” This statement does not explain why reading is important. They are just repeating the same idea in different words.
False equivalence is when someone compares two things that are not the same, making it seem equal. For instance, if you believe eating fast food is just as bad as smoking, these two are not really comparable. The health effects of these two activities are not the same. This type of error can mislead people and create confusion.
Logical fallacies, circular reasoning, and false equivalence make navigating subjective realities more difficult. They distort thinking. When thinking is distorted, it compounds errors in thinking.
Subjective Truth Examples That Cause Errors in Thinking
Errors in reasoning can have a big impact on how people talk about and understand important issues. Here are some ways these errors affect us:
— Misinformation: When people make errors in reasoning, they can spread false information. This misinformation can lead others to believe things that are not true. Some people may think drinking bleach cures illnesses. They believe this because a political leader supported it. This error can cause serious injury, and it happens because of misguided trust in the source. This is a thinking error that could have been avoided if they had checked with legitimate healthcare sources.
— Propaganda: During a political campaign, a person might believe everything a candidate says even if it’s not true. This is an error because they do not question the information and accept it as fact. Propaganda influences how people think and act. It often relies on biased or false information. This results in unfair judgments and poor decisions.
— Religious Indoctrination: This is a form of group hypnosis which overrides common sense. It teaches the belief in myth and superstition over facts and evidence. Religious acolytes believe their religion is the only true one.
Believers often defend this false construct of reality with violence. Indoctrination starts young and continues throughout life. It reinforces harmful ideas about reality. They do not think critically about their beliefs or consider other perspectives. Religious indoctrination can lead to intolerance and conflict. It can prevent people from understanding and respecting different beliefs and cultures.
Polarization: Errors can also divide people. When people hold on to wrong beliefs and refuse to listen to others, they create an “us vs. them” mentality. This makes it harder for people to find common ground and work together.
We can improve our thinking and make better decisions by recognizing and understanding these errors. This helps create a more informed and united society. Errors in thinking and denial create obvious paradoxes that further complicate things.
3. The Weight of Maintaining a Paradox
Keeping a paradox is like carrying a large weight. Your mind must ignore the inconstancy of the paradox while still believing it to be true.
A paradox is a statement or situation that seems to contradict itself but might still be true. It’s like saying, This statement is false. If the statement is true, then it must be false, but if it’s false, then it must be true. Paradoxes can exist as a personal or cultural standards that are unfair and harmful.
Denial and errors in thinking help keep paradoxes alive. When people ignore facts, they may cling to beliefs that conflict with one another. Paradoxes help in sustaining contradictions in subjective truth through denial and error.
Selective perception can create a distorted worldview. This can happen when we filter what we see and hear. This happens when people focus only on information that matches their beliefs. They tend to ignore anything that challenges those beliefs. For example, if someone thinks a diet is the best, they might only read positive articles about it. They may ignore studies that suggest it isn’t healthy.
Social groups and communities make paradoxical beliefs stronger. Peer pressure makes navigating subjective realities almost impossible. When people are surrounded by others who share the same beliefs, they feel more confident in their views, even if those views are illogical. If friends believe in a conspiracy theory, they can strengthen each other’s views. This makes it harder for them to recognize the truth.
Examples of Paradoxes
Here are some examples of paradoxes that are kept alive through denial and error:
— Freedom of Speech and Censorship: Some people believe in both freedom of speech and censorship at the same time. They might say everyone should be able to speak their mind but also think certain opinions should be silenced. This is a paradox because true freedom of speech means allowing all opinions, even the ones we don’t like.
— Healthy Living and Unhealthy Habits: A person may want to live healthily. Yet, they might smoke or eat junk food. They might deny the harmful effects of these habits to maintain their belief in being healthy.
Understanding how denial and errors work can help us empathize with those maintaining a paradox. Knowing why people hold on to conflicting beliefs gives us insight into helping them overcome this trap. We can ask questions about why they believe what they believe. Then, we can point out the discrepancies in their reasoning.
4. Interplay Between Paradoxes, Denial, and Error
Paradoxes, denial, and errors in thinking often work together in a cycle that keeps contradictions alive. When people deny facts and make reasoning errors, they can hold on to paradoxical beliefs. These paradoxes then reinforce the denial and errors, creating a feedback loop.
Psychological and Social Factors
Several psychological and social factors make this interplay persistent:
— Groupthink: When people are in a group, they might go along with the group’s beliefs to fit in, even if those beliefs are paradoxical. This can lead to everyone in the group reinforcing each other’s denial and errors.
— Echo Chambers: In echo chambers, people only hear information that supports their existing beliefs. This makes it easier to deny facts and make reasoning errors because there’s no exposure to different viewpoints.
Subjective Truth Examples of Interplay
Here are some examples of how paradoxes, denial, and errors work together:
— Climate Change Denial: Some people think climate change isn’t real. They use faulty reasoning to back this belief. They may have mixed beliefs. For example, they might value environmental protection but still deny climate change. Social groups and echo chambers can reinforce these beliefs.
— Anti-Vaccine Movements: People in these movements often deny vaccines’ safety and effectiveness. They may also use logical fallacies to support their views. They may hold conflicting views. For example, they can care about public health but still oppose vaccines. These beliefs are often reinforced by like-minded communities.
Understanding how paradoxes, denial, and errors connect, we can tackle these problems. This helps us think more clearly and logically. This helps create a more informed and rational society.
5. Consequences of Sustaining Contradictions
Scientific Progress
Denying scientific facts and embracing paradoxical beliefs slows down progress and innovation. Scientists rely on facts and evidence to make new discoveries and solve problems. If people ignore or deny these facts, it can:
— Hinder Research: If people doubt the science, scientists may find it hard to get funding or support for crucial research.
— Spread Misinformation: False beliefs spread easily. This makes it tough for scientists to share accurate information with the public.
— Create Resistance: Some people resist new technologies or treatments. They often do this because they don’t trust the science. This happens even when these innovations could improve lives.
Public Health
Denial and errors in thinking can have serious consequences for public health. When people ignore scientific evidence about health and safety, it can lead to:
— Disease Outbreaks: If people skip vaccines or ignore health rules, diseases spread faster. This puts everyone at risk, especially those who can’t protect themselves.
— Misinformation: False health info can lead to dangerous choices. People might try unproven treatments or ignore medical advice.
— Strain on Healthcare: Ignoring scientific advice places extra pressures on the healthcare system. This makes it harder for doctors and nurses to assist everyone in need.
Policy Making
Sustaining contradictions through denial and errors can also affect policy making and governance. When leaders and policymakers ignore scientific facts, it can lead to:
— Poor Decisions: Policies built on false beliefs or misinformation can cause harm or fail. For example, ignoring climate science can lead to policies that don’t address environmental issues.
— Public Distrust: When leaders ignore scientific evidence, people lose trust in the government.
— Inequality: Policies based on denial and errors can create or worsen inequalities. For example, ignoring public health data can lead to policies that don’t protect vulnerable populations.
When we grasp the impact of contradictions, we realize the value of scientific literacy. We need to encourage scientific learning and critical thinking. This helps ensure decisions are based on facts and evidence, leading to better outcomes for everyone.
Recap Contradictions in Subjective Truth Through Denial and Error
In this article, we talked about how people choose ideas that defy facts by denying facts and making mistakes in their thinking. This trend is based on personal views derived from faulty logic. Extremist ideologies controlling social media keep these contradictions alive.
It’s important to understand how denial works by ignoring evidence and using confirmation. This mindset leads to common thinking errors, like circular reasoning and false equivalence. These mistakes can lead to misinformation and make people more divided.
We explored how paradoxes, denial, and errors work together to keep contradictions going. This can slow down scientific progress, harm public health, and lead to poor decisions in policy making.
It’s important to understand how denial and errors affect our thinking and beliefs. By recognizing these issues, we can work towards clearer, more logical thinking. This helps us make better decisions and create a more informed and united society.
Call to Action
Let’s all try to think more critically and question the information we receive. Talk to others, listen to different viewpoints, and be open to changing your mind when you learn new facts. By doing this, we can help reduce misinformation and make better choices for ourselves and our communities.
References
1. Exploring the Nature of Subjective Truth and Its Implications -thewitness.org
2. Cognitive Dissonance Theory – simplypsychology.org
3. Confirmation Bias – psychologytoday.com
4. Climate Change Denial -nationalgeographic.com
5. Anti-Vaccine Movements -who.int/news-room
6. Logical Fallacies -yourlocalfalllacyis.com
7. Groupthink -psychologytoday.com
8. Echo Chambers -bbc.co