Why is it that even though you've presented an argument that's compelling, sound, and with infallible logic, do people still refuse to accept it, and still cling to their old, fallacious beliefs?
2007-07-13 21:38:54 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Due to comfort it is hard to abandon the belief system that has been ingrained into one's psyche, or conscious thinking. There is fear of reprisal, from loved ones and friends. ....society. There is fear of the unknown. There can be doubt in what has not been explored before, or possible ostracization.
There will always be persons who cling to old beliefs, it has become a part of who they are, their culture, their person-hood, their country... and so on, or so perceived. By taking away his/her belief system... it is thought that you are taking a part of them (self) away. There have many persons throughout the centuries whom have been burned at the stake for their beliefs, or martyred. Will it change? I do not know.
It has been my personal experience that things are changing in this respect.
2007-07-14 13:24:21 · answer #1 · answered by SamadhiAtman2008 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No matter how compelling, sound or infallible you believe your logic to be, you may not convince others to see things your way. No logic is infallible. Some things may be black & white. Others are grey area, open to interpretation. People with opposing beliefs may be equally convinced that they are right. Often it's a matter of opinion rather than fact. Some things can't be proven. Old beliefs die hard. It isn't too often that you can convince someone to believe the opposite. It usually takes a drastic life event or personal experience to change someone's mind, not just a persuasive argument from someone else...
2007-07-13 22:00:35 · answer #2 · answered by amp 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rationality is not part of their beliefs.Changing your old fallacious beliefs can't happen if you are comfortable with what you already have.It's a bit like saying to scientists come up with a better theory about how the universe began.At the moment they are satisfied with the Big Bang Theory so why change even if there is evidence that may prove them wrong.
2007-07-13 23:35:34 · answer #3 · answered by ROBERT P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because people are emotional and emotion overrides logic in stupid people. An example is when a small dog barks at a big dog or when people say things they don't mean in a verbal arguement. This is the case with animals. Thus, stupid people who let this happen can be grouped with being as intelligent as an animal. The bible makes references to this. When you propose information that is damning to everything they ever believed and hoped for they will defend it to the death, especially if it is a valued notion shared by their family, friends, and loved ones. You invade their comfort zones by presenting such information. Emotions are one of the biggest drawbacks to being human. The only way to get them to accept your logic is for the desire to come from them and not you.
2007-07-13 21:47:00 · answer #4 · answered by Godly_Expert 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because wisdom and understanding are not simply an act of the intellect, but also the will-- and both these qualities of human nature (intellect and will) can be mitigated by the desires of the ego. Further, one of the most rapacious desires of the ego is the need to be right, which makes it difficult for many to admit that one has been wrong.
2007-07-14 01:30:14 · answer #5 · answered by Timaeus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've starred this question, because I think it is really profound.
For example, people hate to give up their beliefs in astrology, or the supernatural, or certain religions, etc, even in the face of a gigantic wall of evidence.
I think this can only be because through our lives we build up a persona of "who we are". And to change that, is so scary, or so difficult, that we all prefer to stay with who we think we are.
There is a physical equivalent, astonishingly - people who have lost limbs still have feelings in those limbs, even though they're no longer there....
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2007-07-13 23:20:25 · answer #6 · answered by tsr21 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps that's why when something is in short supply, there is a 'ration' !
Like they say, "common sense is quite uncommon."
There would perhaps be too stringent rationing of being rational ! The comfort of laziness, till it is affordable , offered by blind belief, is too tempting, to stimulate the troublesome logical path.
2007-07-13 21:54:14 · answer #7 · answered by Spiritualseeker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe rationality isn't as high in their list of priorities as it is in yours.
2007-07-14 01:09:40 · answer #8 · answered by Jack P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps they can't follow your reasoning.
2007-07-13 21:42:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋