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Of course, but many things try and foster faith - companies do it, nations do it, people do it. Most people whether they are religious or not aren't applying t
by aaron-lebo 10y ago
Of course, but many things try and foster faith - companies do it, nations do it, people do it.
Most people whether they are religious or not aren't applying the scientific method to their daily lives. You can't blame that - biases are easy and trying to be objective is a pain in the ass.
- TeMPOraL 10y agoI think most people are smarter than this discussion is saying they are - it's just they don't optimize for the things we implicitly assume here. They don't optimize for the truth value of their beliefs, but for their direct usefulness in life. Most of the scientific facts don't have a direct impact on your life, so you don't get rewarded for getting things right, nor you get punished for getting them wrong. Different criteria thus become more relevant. How a belief fits your image of yourself? How does it help you strengthen your ties to the groups you're in? How it positions you against the groups you dislike? Note that in situations when getting things right has direct impact on one's life - like, when it comes to money or job - people suddenly become very rational.
- aaron-lebo 10y agoThis doesn't add much to what you are saying, but I very much agree.