Hypernovean

Here is an interesting article that I found at <a href="http://www.csicop.org/" target="_blank">CSICOP</a>
The idea that the resilience of beliefs to change is a survival mechanism struck me as particulary plausible. It certainly explains why so many theists stick to their beliefs in the face of logic and reason: to them, they find a survival value in those beliefs; it helps them get through life, cope, understand, a whole range of things. Without those beliefs to prop them up, many would feel lost, so they cling to them as if for dear life.

The article in brief: (I had Word autosummarize the article, so please disregard any bad grammar.)

How, we wonder, are people able to hold beliefs that contradict the data?

Understanding the biological purpose of beliefs can help skeptics to be far more effective in challenging irrational beliefs and communicating scientific conclusions.

Biology and Survival

Because every brain activity serves a fundamental survival purpose, the only way to accurately understand any brain function is to examine its value as a tool for survival. Senses and Beliefs

One of the brain's primary tools for ensuring survival is our senses. Enter beliefs. Beliefs, in essence, serve as our brain's "long-range danger detectors."

By referring to my belief rather than to sensory data, my brain can "know" something about the world with which I have no immediate sensory contact. The Resilience of Beliefs

This means that beliefs are designed to operate independent of sensory data. Beliefs are not supposed to change easily or simply in response to disconfirming evidence. As far as our brain is concerned, there is absolutely no need for data and belief to agree. When data and belief come into conflict, the brain does not automatically give preference to data. This is why beliefs-even bad beliefs, irrational beliefs, silly beliefs, or crazy beliefs- often don't die in the face of contradictory evidence. The brain doesn't care whether or not the belief matches the data. It cares whether the belief is helpful for survival. It is extremely reticent to jettison its beliefs. "Inconsequential" Beliefs

This means that even seemingly small, inconsequential beliefs can be as integral to the brain's experience of survival as are beliefs that are "obviously" connected to survival. Implications for Skeptics

Skeptical thinkers must realize that because of the survival value of beliefs, disconfirming evidence will rarely, if ever, be sufficient to change beliefs, even in "otherwise intelligent" people. In order to effectively change beliefs skeptics must attend to their survival value, not just their data-accuracy value. First, skeptics must not expect beliefs to change simply as the result of data or assuming that people are stupid because their beliefs don't change. It is, quite literally, a threat to their brain's sense of survival. It's a fight for survival. Challenging beliefs must always be done with care and compassion.

The whole article:
<a href="http://www.csicop.org/si/2000-11/beliefs.html" target="_blank">Why Bad Beliefs Don't Die</a>

As it says near the end, the ability to easily change/give up beliefs due to new evidence is a gift.. I feel special

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There are plenty of other articles on the site, some of which talk about creationism, et al. I recommed everyone has a look around.

[ December 11, 2002: Message edited by: Hypernovean ]</p>

Oxymoron

I will read the article later, but my first thought is this: our survival skills depend on our ability to adapt to new situations and environments, not to remain fixed within old ones. Failure to adjust our mental model of the world according to new input data is as risky as using a centuries-old map of the world to try and sail to Australia (or wherever).

Hypernovean

I think the beliefs act as a safety net of sorts; it gives the believer an idea of what they may encounter going into a new situation, and how they can handle it. The article explains it better than I can right now

atheist_in_foxhole

I love the graphic included in the article:



On edit: Wow, there are some terrific <a href="http://www.csicop.org/si/online.html" target="_blank">articles</a> on that site. Thanks for posting this Hypernovean!

[ December 11, 2002: Message edited by: atheist_in_foxhole ]</p>

HaysooChreesto!

I think too, that there is a basic human need for some type of philosophical guidance by almost everyone, and that for most, religion fills that need. It can give structure, which is necessary for living any kind of constructive life.
While what's "constructive" is very debatable, it's my two bits that the philosophy angle, coupled with devine guidance is what makes religion so appealing to humans.

thebeave

There's a good book on this subject I read a couple of years ago called Why People Believe Weird Things written by Michael Shermer (from Skeptic Magazine). It's worth a read.