Jonathan Haidt

If people can literally see what they want to see—given a bit of ambiguity—is it any wonder that scientific studies often fail to persuade the general public? Scientists are really good at finding flaws in studies that contradict their own views, but it sometimes happens that evidence accumulates across many studies to the point where scientists must change their minds. I’ve seen this happen in my colleagues (and myself) many times, and it’s part of the accountability system of science—you’dlook foolish clinging to discredited theories. But for nonscientists, there is no such thing as a study you must believe. It’s always possible to question the methods, find an alternative interpretation of the data, or, if all else fails, question the honesty or ideology of the researchers.
And now that we all have access to search engines on our cell phones, we can call up a team of supportive scientists for almost any conclusion twenty-four hours a day. Whatever you want to believe about the causes of global warming or whether a fetus can feel pain, just Google your belief. You’ll find partisan websites summarizing and sometimes distorting relevant scientific studies. Science is a smorgasbord, and Google will guide you to the study that’s right for you.

2 thoughts on “Jonathan Haidt

  1. shinichi Post author

    (sk)

    人は、自分が見たいものを見、聞きたいものを聞く。

    グーグルも同じ。探したいものを探す。どんな考えでも、ネット上で何らかの支持を得ることができる。

    地球温暖化の原因、胎児が痛みを感じるかなどなど、どんな立場に立っていようと、グーグルで検索すれば、自分の考えを支持してくれるウェブページが見つかる。

    都合の良いウェブページはいくらでもある。

    そして、自分の考えと合致したウェブページを見たあとには、考えは信念に変わる。なにしろ、自分の考えは正しいというお墨付きをもらったのだ。その考えが、間違いであるはずはない。

    たとえその考えに反する何千何万のウェブページがあったとしても、そんなものは目に入らない。

    そして自分にとっての真実が形成されていく。

    Reply

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