What makes someone change their mind about a subject?
I've given this some thought, and you'd think that contrasting evidence and solid argumentation would change people's beliefs on some level. But no, even with countless examples and solid argumentation people still cling to their beliefs and positions even though they've been shown otherwise.
A lot of stuff happens behind the curtains of the mind, and I think one should counter bullshit even though people will wave their hands against it, because I think that somewhere along the line they will, albeit subconsciously, alter their beliefs and positions because of new stuff they will encounter in the future. For example a kid that thinks lightning is caused by some supernatural agent, when taught about natural phenomena of lightning occurring, about electrical charge and so on, might at first hand discount it, because they still think Zeus or whatever is casting lightning bolts whenever there's lightning strikes.
It seems like it's an uphill battle, that after a belief or position is settled in, they're hard to shake off again or change.
I've given this some thought, and you'd think that contrasting evidence and solid argumentation would change people's beliefs on some level. But no, even with countless examples and solid argumentation people still cling to their beliefs and positions even though they've been shown otherwise.
A lot of stuff happens behind the curtains of the mind, and I think one should counter bullshit even though people will wave their hands against it, because I think that somewhere along the line they will, albeit subconsciously, alter their beliefs and positions because of new stuff they will encounter in the future. For example a kid that thinks lightning is caused by some supernatural agent, when taught about natural phenomena of lightning occurring, about electrical charge and so on, might at first hand discount it, because they still think Zeus or whatever is casting lightning bolts whenever there's lightning strikes.
It seems like it's an uphill battle, that after a belief or position is settled in, they're hard to shake off again or change.
"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool." - Richard P. Feynman
