Making Sense with Sam Harris #261 — Belief & Identity
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Sep 30, 2021 
Sam Harris welcomes Jonas Kaplan, a cognitive neuroscientist at USC, who specializes in consciousness and identity. They dive into the neuroscience behind belief change, discussing phenomena like the illusory truth effect and the backfire effect. Kaplan explains how emotional motivations can entrench false beliefs, particularly in a polarized environment. The conversation also touches on the significance of cognitive flexibility, the interplay of beliefs and identity, and the enduring impact of storytelling in human culture.
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Importance of Belief Flexibility
- Belief flexibility is crucial for societal progress, enabling fruitful conversations and cooperation.
- Without belief flexibility, the only alternative for resolving disagreements is through violence or coercion.
Improving Open-mindedness
- Focus on increasing your own open-mindedness and receptiveness to new evidence.
- Consider how to be more open to persuasion instead of just trying to persuade others.
Belief as a Spectrum of Knowledge
- We form beliefs by learning about the world, a process of knowledge acquisition with varying degrees of conviction.
- Belief and knowledge exist on a spectrum of certainty, from absolute confidence to tentative acceptance.