Why intelligent people still believe in silly ideas - [bigthink.com]
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I know intelligent people who are theists....go figure.
LucyLoohoo
Level 9
Nov 20, 2019
0
“This, again, though, should not make us apathetic in trying to still convince people, even smart ones. Smart doesn't make you right: it just makes you, in many instances, better at thinking that you are.”
Hmm...who are the “us” that have all the correct opinions and who appointed the “us” to convince everyone else, even the smart ones? Could it be that the “us” referred to have their own set of biases?
There appears to be a level of stereotyping going on here. I would think that people with high intelligence would occupy the entire range of human characteristics. Anyway, are you going to give people an IQ test to determine if special technique will be required in order to teach them correct beliefs? There are various kinds of intelligence and normally you wouldn’t know all that much about the person.
WilliamFleming
Level 8
Nov 20, 2019
0
Everyone has biases. It’s part of being alive and confident enough to make a judgement. Cultural, personal and educationally orientated lenses will help determine one’s viewpoint.
It’s got nothing to do with ‘smart’ or ‘not smart’, it’s about being human.
Geoffrey51
Level 8
Nov 20, 2019
1
@Allamanda Of course. It’s part of what we are. Everyone has a bias about many things. That’s one of the reasons a jury of 12 is essential in felonious court cases.
Very enjoyable read. Smart people maybe only smart in a narrow area and the ability to broaden one's thinking may not even enter their minds unless a problem crops up that can not be rationalized away. Otherwise there is no harm or repercussion from believing in ghosts, fairies or astrology.
Inner reflection at the end of the day helps. Especially if there was a dust up or you had a very stimulating conversation. I tend to wonder how I was perceived, thought of or did I make my point without being over bearing.
I have often wished there was someone who could pick me apart the way we sometimes pick others apart. We can usually see the 'faults' in others and not our selves. It helps to listen to ones self sometimes.
silverotter11
Level 9
Nov 20, 2019
1
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