Like computer viruses, successful mind viruses will tend to be hard for their victims to detect. If you are the victim of one, the chances are that you won't know it, and may even vigorously deny it. Accepting that a virus might be difficult to detect in your own mind, what tell-tale signs might you look out for? I shall answer by imaging how a medical textbook might describe the typical symptoms of a sufferer (arbitrarily assumed to be male).
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Dawkins compares harmful beliefs to computer viruses that are hard to detect and often denied by the host, asking readers to identify signs of such mental infections.
- In plain terms
- Beliefs can act like invisible viruses that make people deny their own flawed thinking.
- What can you take from it?
- Be wary of beliefs you cannot critically examine or admit might be wrong.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What beliefs do you defend without evidence?
- How can you spot bias in yourself?
Another view
Not all deeply held beliefs are harmful or virus-like.
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Permalink to quote #41 The patient typically finds himself impelled by some deep, inner conviction that something is true, or right, or virtuous: a conviction that doesn't seem to ow…
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