Evolutionary Psychology (the podcast) Belief with Dan Williams
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Sep 23, 2025 Join philosopher Dan Williams from the University of Sussex as he delves into the nature of belief, misinformation, and delusion. He examines why we cling to bizarre beliefs and the social motivations behind them. Williams critiques the concept of self-deception in favor of understanding propaganda and signaling. Discover how beliefs can be compartmentalized, the adaptive reasons for internalizing propagated ideas, and the implications of our biases on daily life. Enjoy insights on navigating controversial topics in research and the pursuit of truth.
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Belief As Social Strategy
- Human belief often makes sense when seen as social behavior shaped by status, reputation, and alliance goals.
- Evolutionary theory clarifies why many irrational beliefs persist in social contexts.
Belief Is Not One Thing
- The term 'belief' bundles many distinct mental states that vary in function and form.
- Social motivations add complexity that makes 'belief' less transparent than philosophers often assume.
Replace Ego Self-Deception With Advocacy
- Strategic social motives (propaganda, signaling) better explain many cases of biased belief than ego-protection models.
- Self-deception framed as advocacy or signal-management fits evolutionary plausibility more cleanly.
