ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to show readers we all suffer from cognitive biases that make it very unlikely that we will change our minds, even when presented with strong arguments. Through a process called motivated reasoning, people process information in a way that allows them to hold whatever opinions they wish. Since there is no way to know for certain that our opinions are not biased, it makes sense to hold beliefs with less certainty, and to seek to broaden our perspectives by understanding the opinions of others. Additionally, understanding that we all suffer from biased thinking from time to time should make us more forgiving if people don’t immediately adopt our point of view despite our best efforts. The chapter begins with an overview of motivated reasoning and why it is difficult for people to evaluate their own biases. All hope is not lost however, as the chapter concludes with some suggestions for how readers can reduce their likelihood of engaging in motivated reasoning. Nonetheless, since we can never know if we are biased, it is best to hold our opinions and beliefs with intellectual humility. Topics discussed in this chapter include: motivated reasoning, confirmation bias, the bias blind spot, self-affirmation, and intellectual humility.
