Q) How can I accept evidence if that evidence goes against what I believe in?
Let’s say I support Donald Trump, but someone shows me irrefutable evidence which shows that what Trump is doing is immoral, unethical or unnecessary. (Note: this is only an example) How should accept that evidence even if I really don’t want to?
A)
If you have something that you believe strongly is true, but discover evidence that contradicts this, then you will most likely experience a condition known as “cognitive dissonance.”
We like to think of ourselves as being right and our ego is attached to this concept. When we are irrefutably wrong we often fight this and defend our wrong opinion to preserve our ego. If you’ve ever seen two people arguing endlessly in a comment section it’s usually because one person just won’t admit they’re wrong. They are usually imperious and condescending. Your anger is a usually, but not always, a sign that you’re wrong. It’s always a sign that you’re caught up in ego.
The important thing to consider here is that this is an emotional response, not an intellectual one. Strange things happen to our intellect when we experience emotions, even unconscious ones that take place without our awareness. Emotions override intellect EVERY GODDAMNED TIME!!!
Emotional responses can only be dealt with emotionally. You cannot think your way out of an emotional response.
The first step is to recognize that you are having an emotional response to an intellectual subject. (You don’t want to believe.)
The second step is to let the emotional response take place. Ironically, it is easier for emotional people to overcome cognitive dissonance and be objective than it is for people we normally think of as rational and logical. If you are aware of your emotions it is easier to deal with them. Suppressed emotions can ruin your ability to be objective.
Cognitive dissonance takes a day or two to overcome. Once your emotional response runs its course you’ll stop being so attached to your beliefs and be able to be objective again. But only if you deal with your emotions.
Once you’ve gotten over your cognitive dissonance a few times it gets easier. You realize that you’re going to make mistakes and be wrong occasionally and you just stop getting so worked up over it.
source https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-acc...against-what-I-believe-in/answer/Craig-Weiler
Let’s say I support Donald Trump, but someone shows me irrefutable evidence which shows that what Trump is doing is immoral, unethical or unnecessary. (Note: this is only an example) How should accept that evidence even if I really don’t want to?
A)
If you have something that you believe strongly is true, but discover evidence that contradicts this, then you will most likely experience a condition known as “cognitive dissonance.”
We like to think of ourselves as being right and our ego is attached to this concept. When we are irrefutably wrong we often fight this and defend our wrong opinion to preserve our ego. If you’ve ever seen two people arguing endlessly in a comment section it’s usually because one person just won’t admit they’re wrong. They are usually imperious and condescending. Your anger is a usually, but not always, a sign that you’re wrong. It’s always a sign that you’re caught up in ego.
The important thing to consider here is that this is an emotional response, not an intellectual one. Strange things happen to our intellect when we experience emotions, even unconscious ones that take place without our awareness. Emotions override intellect EVERY GODDAMNED TIME!!!
Emotional responses can only be dealt with emotionally. You cannot think your way out of an emotional response.
The first step is to recognize that you are having an emotional response to an intellectual subject. (You don’t want to believe.)
The second step is to let the emotional response take place. Ironically, it is easier for emotional people to overcome cognitive dissonance and be objective than it is for people we normally think of as rational and logical. If you are aware of your emotions it is easier to deal with them. Suppressed emotions can ruin your ability to be objective.
Cognitive dissonance takes a day or two to overcome. Once your emotional response runs its course you’ll stop being so attached to your beliefs and be able to be objective again. But only if you deal with your emotions.
Once you’ve gotten over your cognitive dissonance a few times it gets easier. You realize that you’re going to make mistakes and be wrong occasionally and you just stop getting so worked up over it.
source https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-acc...against-what-I-believe-in/answer/Craig-Weiler
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