Cognitive Dissonance
It is not uncommon for an individual to hold a core belief that is very strong but built on an assumption. When such an individual is presented with new information or facts that contradict the reasoning behind that core belief, an internal psychological conflict ensues. This internal conflict causes discomfort throwing the mind into disequilibrium. It is human nature for an individual to immediately seek to reach psychological equilibrium as soon as possible. What often results from this human instinct is called cognitive dissonance.
Psychological inconsistency or "dissonance" can occur on it's own without the individual even aware that he is partaking in an inconstant line of thought.
Here are two examples of dissonance.
EXAMPLE 1
Did you catch it? In this picture, the man who is opposed to Obamacare calls it "socialized medicine," while also stating that he wants his medicare left alone. Being opposed to Obamacare and simultaneously approving of medicaid is not inconsistent. They are two separate forms of very different socialized medicinal programs. The dissonance occurring is when the caricature is using the term "socialized medicine" as a pejorative to describe Obamacare without realizing that he supports a form of social medicine, medicaid.
EXAMPLE 2
How about this one? As you can see, on the left side of this car's bumper is a Obama '08 campaign sticker, while on the left is a sticker that says "No Taxation (representation or otherwise)." If you pay attention to politics you would know that Obama is not opposed to taxation. Regardless that he never expressed a desire to raise taxes for those in the lowest brackets, or that he stated he felt the rich should "pay their fair share," the president is certainly in favor of taxation. Advertising a promotional campaign bumper sticker for a politician who is in favor of taxation while also advertising the belief that people should not be taxed is inconsistent with regards to taxation.
It is only when dissonance is pointed out or realized that cognitive dissonance occurs. When dissonance is pointed out by another individual, often the beholder becomes upset and defensive. At this point an individual will often rationalize away, ignore and deny any new information. It is this illogical thought process that is called cognitive dissonance.
This is the minds way of avoiding disequilibrium. Remember, the mind strives for constancy. By shutting out what others have to say, and avoiding people or messages that conflict with our strongly held assumptions, our mind doesn't have to become troubled with changing our views or assumptions.
Mark Twain famously captured a situation that leads to cognitive dissonance in the phrase......
"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."
What Mark Twain is comically warning us about is that often times we have strongly held beliefs based on assumptions and act as if those that do not share our views are stupid. When finally confronting these "stupid people" we may end up realizing they know things that we ourselves do not. This is where we can either become defensive and rationalize our assumptions, or we have the opportunity to reexamine them and reach truth.
Anger often precedes cognitive dissonance. So as Cosmotheists we must be in control of our emotions. Not vice versa. Cosmotheists are seekers. We are constantly looking to discover truth. This cannot be done when we become upset when our beliefs are challenged. This is what makes us different from other religions. Our views are not so sacred as to be unquestioned, since dogma is the enemy of truth.
Marcus Aurelius stated it best when he said.......
"If someone can prove me wrong and show me my mistake in any thought or action, I shall gladly change. I seek the truth, which never harmed anyone: to harm is to persist in one's self-deception and ignorance."
Our species is a creature of habit. Change can be difficult. Especially when that change may be at odds with the majority of our friends, family and public. As Cosmotheists we must be constantly vigilant about our strongly held beliefs. Are they the result of objective study and meditation, or are they simply the way in which we want the world to be?
Here are a few last comical examples about Cognitive Dissonance that will help you grab a better understanding of the idea.
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It is not uncommon for an individual to hold a core belief that is very strong but built on an assumption. When such an individual is presented with new information or facts that contradict the reasoning behind that core belief, an internal psychological conflict ensues. This internal conflict causes discomfort throwing the mind into disequilibrium. It is human nature for an individual to immediately seek to reach psychological equilibrium as soon as possible. What often results from this human instinct is called cognitive dissonance.
Psychological inconsistency or "dissonance" can occur on it's own without the individual even aware that he is partaking in an inconstant line of thought.
Here are two examples of dissonance.
EXAMPLE 1
Did you catch it? In this picture, the man who is opposed to Obamacare calls it "socialized medicine," while also stating that he wants his medicare left alone. Being opposed to Obamacare and simultaneously approving of medicaid is not inconsistent. They are two separate forms of very different socialized medicinal programs. The dissonance occurring is when the caricature is using the term "socialized medicine" as a pejorative to describe Obamacare without realizing that he supports a form of social medicine, medicaid.
EXAMPLE 2
How about this one? As you can see, on the left side of this car's bumper is a Obama '08 campaign sticker, while on the left is a sticker that says "No Taxation (representation or otherwise)." If you pay attention to politics you would know that Obama is not opposed to taxation. Regardless that he never expressed a desire to raise taxes for those in the lowest brackets, or that he stated he felt the rich should "pay their fair share," the president is certainly in favor of taxation. Advertising a promotional campaign bumper sticker for a politician who is in favor of taxation while also advertising the belief that people should not be taxed is inconsistent with regards to taxation.
It is only when dissonance is pointed out or realized that cognitive dissonance occurs. When dissonance is pointed out by another individual, often the beholder becomes upset and defensive. At this point an individual will often rationalize away, ignore and deny any new information. It is this illogical thought process that is called cognitive dissonance.
This is the minds way of avoiding disequilibrium. Remember, the mind strives for constancy. By shutting out what others have to say, and avoiding people or messages that conflict with our strongly held assumptions, our mind doesn't have to become troubled with changing our views or assumptions.
Mark Twain famously captured a situation that leads to cognitive dissonance in the phrase......
"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."
What Mark Twain is comically warning us about is that often times we have strongly held beliefs based on assumptions and act as if those that do not share our views are stupid. When finally confronting these "stupid people" we may end up realizing they know things that we ourselves do not. This is where we can either become defensive and rationalize our assumptions, or we have the opportunity to reexamine them and reach truth.
Anger often precedes cognitive dissonance. So as Cosmotheists we must be in control of our emotions. Not vice versa. Cosmotheists are seekers. We are constantly looking to discover truth. This cannot be done when we become upset when our beliefs are challenged. This is what makes us different from other religions. Our views are not so sacred as to be unquestioned, since dogma is the enemy of truth.
Marcus Aurelius stated it best when he said.......
"If someone can prove me wrong and show me my mistake in any thought or action, I shall gladly change. I seek the truth, which never harmed anyone: to harm is to persist in one's self-deception and ignorance."
Our species is a creature of habit. Change can be difficult. Especially when that change may be at odds with the majority of our friends, family and public. As Cosmotheists we must be constantly vigilant about our strongly held beliefs. Are they the result of objective study and meditation, or are they simply the way in which we want the world to be?
Here are a few last comical examples about Cognitive Dissonance that will help you grab a better understanding of the idea.
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