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Paradigm:
noun
2. an example serving as a model; pattern.
3.a. a framework containing the basic assumptions, ways of thinking, and methodology that are commonly accepted by members of a scientific community.
3.b. such a cognitive framework shared by members of any discipline or group:
Dictionary.com
What we think about any given subject is colored by our own personal perceptions – it is a bias we hold to one side or the other on an issue and it exists whether we realize it or not. It affects the way in which we perceive the world and is formed on the basis of our own personal experience (however limited that may actually be) and even the understanding that this process of information filtering is occurring is not enough to overcome it. At least not fully. The simple fact is that we as human beings simply don’t know what we don’t know. We therefore interpret our world and our reality through the lens of what we do know at best, or what we think we know at worst.
There is a name for this phenomenon;
confirmation bias
noun Psychology.Dictionary.com
bias that results from the tendency to process and analyze information in such a way that it supports one’s preexisting ideas and convictions
I bring this up because it forms a foundational principle in the battle we find ourselves in; the battle for the mind.
Consider how we begin our lifelong learning journey. We start by learning very simple – yet verifiable – basic truths; one apple added to one apple gives us two apples… As we progress to increasingly complex ideas and lessons, we form a confirmation bias regarding the structure of authority. We have been taught things we know and have verified are true and, therefore develop a level of confidence in the figure of “teacher” – whether those teachers are our mothers and fathers, or third parties mantled with the responsibility of furthering our knowledge base.
To be clear – I’m not saying this is bad, I’m saying it’s skewed. Everyone involved in the learning process has a set of filters – right, wrong or otherwise – that colors their perception. Information is thereby passed through one “colored lens” into another “colored lens” and, in the worst circumstances the data can become wholly corrupted – all his without our conscious knowledge or consent.
We start with verifiable information, developing confidence and trust in the teachers and of the system which seeks to tend to our intellectual progress. The problem begins when we stop validating the information presented. And we do stop verifying it. We did stop verifying it. We all did and we all do… Think about it for a moment; if you have a relationship with a person who has never willingly or knowingly lied to you, given you inaccurate information or otherwise led you astray, how likely would you be to question information that individual presented to you?
That is a form of confirmation bias at work. In and of itself, this is not inherently a bad thing – it’s simple human nature.
What happens however, when this individual does present false, or faulty information? Maybe they do so without realizing it’s faulty. Maybe they do so believing without doubt, that what they are presenting to you is true and verifiable information. On the other had, what if they do so, knowing full well there exist cogent and evidential arguments which completely contradict the information they are presenting? What if they refrain from divulging these arguments, or at least, refrain from seriously entertaining them? Would this constitute a Machiavellian plot, a conspiracy of dark – robed figures huddled together in a candle-lit room plotting to deceive you or is this is simply the self-propagating result of confirmation bias at work?
Understand that the most pervasive falsehoods are those that self-propagate. They are also the most difficult to dismantle – particularly within one’s self, but even more so within others. This because one must be willing to accept that what they think or believe is incorrect. They must furthermore allow this new understanding to affect every other belief and conviction which stemmed from the original, fallacious, understanding. This can be a “tall order”.
If and when we are presented with information which challenges or outright contradicts what we currently hold to be true, we find ourselves in a conundrum. In fact, depending on the severity of deviation or contradiction, we can find ourselves wrestling through a state of cognitive dissonance.
cognitive dissonance
noun Psychology.Dictionary.com
anxiety that results from simultaneously holding contradictory or otherwise incompatible attitudes, beliefs, or the like, as when one likes a person but disapproves strongly of one of his or her habits.
Let’s perform a simple thought-experiment; let’s say that one day, you encounter information indicating that two plus two equals five.
Yeah – it’s a ridiculous assertion, but stay with me – this is allegorical.
Upon discovering this information, you are essentially forced to do something with it:
- You can dismiss or ignore the information
- You can investigate and analyze the information
- You can attempt to rationalize the information
Now, all analogies fall apart at some point and this one does so very rapidly – we know that two plus two is four and can – and have – verified this repeatedly throughout our lives – but that isn’t the point of this exercise… understanding the potential reactions is.
If we dismiss the information out of hand, we essentially refuse to consider it and allow our confirmation bias to rule the day. We would, in effect, refuse to engage in critical thinking, favoring our present belief in a manner that is fairly algorithmic – that is to say, we are “running a program”.
If we investigate the information, we do engage in critical thinking. If we do so, we may find that even if we do not agree with the conclusion, we gain an understanding of the thinking that drove the thesis in the first place – and that can be invaluable in and of itself. It is also possible (in matters not so clearly cut) that we find our present thinking or belief on the issue challenged by the information and/ or the evidence presented therein… driving us to further investigate, or to default to one of the other two reactions.
Lastly, we can attempt to rationalize the issue – which essentially seeks to take no stand either way on the matter, asserting that both can be true simultaneously. We certainly know that two plus two cannot equal both four and five, but not all matters are so clearly defined – at least not up front.
Still with me?
Now let me ask you a simple question; do you desire to know the truth?
That may sound like a silly question, but it is actually anything but. Seeking truth means developing and cultivating a willingness to allow our current paradigm to be challenged, to follow the data wherever it leads and, when necessary, to change our minds even when it overturns long held beliefs.
Make no mistake, there is a war for your mind and it marks the conflict between two wholly incompatible and diametrically opposed paradigms. Whichever paradigm we adhere to will color our perceptions and ultimately influence our thoughts and behaviors.
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”
The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”
– Native American Parable
You may have a general sense of where this is all headed, but I assure you that we’re going to get considerably more detailed and specific than you may expect. Personally, I would rather stand alone on an island of truth, than link arms with all humanity upon a mountain of lies…
Until next time,
שלום עליכם – Shalom Aleichem – Peace Be Upon You