TED Talks Daily Why you think you're right -- even if you're wrong | Julia Galef
Jul 8, 2021
Julia Galef, a writer and speaker focused on belief and decision-making, explores the fascinating concepts of the 'soldier' and 'scout' mindsets. She discusses how being a 'soldier' can blind us to new information while a 'scout' mindset encourages curiosity and truth-seeking. Drawing on the historical Dreyfus Affair, Galef highlights the importance of overcoming biases to achieve clearer judgment. Embracing the scout mindset can lead to better decision-making and personal growth, urging listeners to question their beliefs and be open to change.
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The Dreyfus Affair
- French officers discovered a memo suggesting a spy within their ranks.
- They convicted Albert Dreyfus based on flimsy evidence, driven by anti-Semitism.
Motivated Reasoning
- The Dreyfus affair demonstrates how motivated reasoning can lead to flawed judgments.
- People interpret information based on their desires, not objectivity.
Soldier Mindset
- Motivated reasoning, or "soldier mindset," leads us to defend our beliefs like soldiers.
- We readily accept supporting evidence while critically scrutinizing opposing views.
