If we are uncritical we shall always find what we want: we shall look for, and find, confirmations, and we shall look away from, and not see, whatever might be dangerous to our pet theories. In this way it is only too easy to obtain what appears to be overwhelming evidence in favor of a theory which, if approached critically, would have been refuted.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Uncritical thinking leads to confirmation bias where we ignore evidence that contradicts our beliefs.
- In plain terms
- We tend to see only what confirms our ideas and ignore warnings.
- What can you take from it?
- Actively seek evidence that could disprove your theories.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What evidence would change your mind?
- How often do you ignore contradictions?
Another view
Some useful intuitions are not easily falsifiable.
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