The Truth Process

The human brain is capable of simultaneously upholding contradictory conclusions. Usually, one of the conclusions is more “preferred” and so the brain seeks for and validates evidence to support this preferred conclusion; meanwhile it does not seek for and even invalidates data that threatens this preferred conclusion. This phenomenon is called “motivated reasoning”, it is a well-documented phenomenon. Sometimes the evidence for a non-preferred conclusion is so compelling that our brain has a difficult time invalidating or ignoring it. Our brain becomes exhausted trying to make come up with ways to invalidate or ignore the evidence. This is particularly difficult when the repercussions of the non-preferred conclusion are particularly severe or when the non-preferred conclusion logically drives us to change our behaviors. Rejecting compelling evidence which supports a non-preferred conclusion OR accepting non-compelling evidence which supports a preferred conclusion requires ...