The idea called 'cognitive dissonance' reveals that I/You desire to assert our beliefs as valid (true) even as we reject the other person's beliefs (as less than full truth). No matter what another person believes to be true MY belief will not change (is often my mantra). I will assert MY belief to the end of my life. In other words I ignore my own 'cognitive dissonance' as I continue to assert that my viewpoint is true and valid. Let's define this concept for better understanding:
Cognitive Dissonance: A feeling of psychological discomfort is triggered within me when my belief clashes with new information which is perceived as logical and valid (in the NOW). I then try to resolve my psychological discomfort by reasserting my belief (as still true/valid) with a new logic/spin (that reduces the discomfort within me). Let's think of one clear example from history.
One example from history is this belief of Harold Camping (a Christian prophecy teacher) who asserted that the end of the world was arriving on May 21, 2011. He claimed that he had the 'truth' on this issue and this meant that his belief would happen as he believed. Harold had millions of followers who accepted his teachings and prophecy. Personally, I viewed Harold as a false prophet with 'cognitive dissonance' but many others thought his prophecy would happen as he asserted. The media played up this person's claims and later we all concluded (generally) that Harold had 'cognitive dissonance'.
When May 21 arrived and Harold's end-time prophecy did not happen, he then reasserted a new twist/spin in his thinking and proposed that the real end was coming five months later, October 21, 2011. Apparently, he had made some mistake in his calculations. When this date passed, Harold started to 'spiritualize' his teachings so as to maintain his belief (even as millions of his followers abandoned Harold's teachings going forward). This is one example of 'cognitive dissonance' and why most people will alleviate their psychological discomfort with a NEW LOGIC (without abandoning the core belief/viewpoint as being a lie/false).
Personally, I would assert that all my Christian friends who think they will be bodily 'raptured' in the near future so as to escape the tribulation reveal their 'cognitive dissonance'. But will any of these preachers of this 'rapture' theory change their viewpoint as new events emerge in our world marketplace? Most will change their dates and/or their logic so as to maintain their belief in this concept. I view this as another example of 'cognitive dissonance'. But who knows? Maybe my viewpoint is a form of 'cognitive dissonance'.
What is reality is difficult to know in real-time. I, personally, have been wrong about many of my prior perceptions. I am now aware that my 'cognitive dissonance' may need attention. Is our economy going to crash in 2024? My view is that this is likely. But do I KNOW this? I must admit that I do not KNOW this or anything. I can merely assert my 'viewpoint' and this 'viewpoint' should be viewed as SUBJECTIVE (uncertain). Hopefully, this view of reality will help with my cognitive dissonance.
I now realize that every person desires to be 'right' about their core beliefs. I live with strong feelings about what I perceive in real-time (Now). But I also must accept this viewpoint that my thinking is SUBJECTIVE (based upon uncertain assumptions). I do not KNOW anything with total conviction (so said Socrates). I think with my mind and then I make ASSUMPTIONS about what seems logical and reasonable. I desire to be 'objective' even as I realize (from experience) that my viewpoint is based upon subjective 'assumptions'.
To avoid cognitive dissonance I must now admit that my viewpoint (on our economy) is based upon subjective ASSUMPTIONS. If my 'assumptions' prove to be invalid THEN I need to change my 'assumptions' going forward. Will an economic crash in our financial house of cards happen in 2024? My viewpoint is YES (this is highly likely). But if this does NOT happen (say) by December 31, 2024, then I also must rethink all my prior ASSUMPTIONS. Holding on to 'cognitive dissonance' is not a healthy mindset when real events PROVE that my 'assumptions' are invalid.
The prophecy mindset of Harold Camping is what I need to learn from. Harold was totally convinced that the END of the WORLD was going to happen on May 21, 2011. He then changed his view to October 21, 2011. He then started to 'spin' or 'spiritualize' his view so as to maintain his credibility. He has since died without admitting to his 'cognitive dissonance'. Harold Camping died on December 15, at his home in Alameda, California (he was 92). Some say that Harold, in a private interview, finally admitted that no-one could KNOW when the end will arrive.
What does all this teach us? For me this teaches me that all my so-called TRUTH is really based upon my SUBJECTIVE assumptions (all assumptions are uncertain). I really don't KNOW anything with certainty. I can ASSERT my viewpoint (with conviction) but I also must be humble enough to admit that I might be wrong. My thinking is based upon uncertain ASSUMPTIONS. If this is valid, then we all can learn from the examples above. Reality is a NOW experience and all reality (in the NOW) is subjective and uncertain (to some degree). ONLY GOD KNOWS is my mantra! What is yours?
Cognitive Dissonance is prevalent in today's internet world of mass confusion! Who really KNOWS what is happening in real-time (the NOW)? Does any human thinker KNOW (with certainty)?
I am: Donald B. Swenson, Economist/Philosopher, http://kingdomecon.wordpress.com. Also, donaldswenson.blogspot.com.
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