Arguing against irrational beliefs is futile, says experimental psychologist

[jay gw]

The battle by scientists against "irrational" beliefs such as creationism is ultimately futile, a leading experimental psychologist said today.

The work of Bruce Hood, a professor at Bristol University, suggests that magical and supernatural beliefs are hardwired into our brains from birth, and that religions are therefore tapping into a powerful psychological force.

"I think it is pointless to think that we can get people to abandon their belief systems because they are operating at such a fundamental level," said Prof Hood. "No amount of rational evidence is going to be taken on board to get people to abandon those ideas."

He told the annual British Association Festival of Science in Norwich that the standard bearers for evolution, such as the biologist Richard Dawkins and the philosopher Daniel Dennet, had adopted a counterproductive and "simplistic" position.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,1864753,00.html

[Level]

How does he explain all the Christians turned atheists? Not true believers from the start?

[Dave1001]

How does he explain all the Christians turned atheists? Not true believers from the start?

Yes. And generationally, it could be explained by something like the Flyn effect.

[Level]

Yes. And generationally, it could be explained by something like the Flyn effect.

After reading and participating in countless I.D., God, and other superstitious debates online, I find myself agreeing with Prof. Hood...

Are there any other studies in this same vein?

[Kopji]

I'm a little confused by his conclusions.

If people were taught to have sentimental or adverse reactions to certain artifacts, why can't people be taught to have similar feelings about say, atheism or science? Somewhere there has developed the idea that people choose 'religion' or 'spirituality' by feelings, but feelings have no part in choices like atheism or disbelief.

His argument does not make much sense if feelings are allowed as part of being human.

[saizai]

IMO the (his or the reporter's?) conclusions are way too strong for the data to support.

All he has shown is that some people have a very strong associational emotional response. This does not fully support the conclusion that "it is not possible to convince someone to abandon irrational beliefs".

The implication of the conclusion is that it is impossible to doubt (or reject conclusions based upon) your own emotions without rejecting or not having the emotions themselves, which is patently false.

[I less than three logic]

Think we can send in the Light Created Life thread? With that they should have no problem proving beyond any doubt that it is in fact futile. :)

[andyandy]

the same article discussed in SMMT here......

http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=64312&highlight=the+battle+against+irrational+beliefs

[Dancing David]

I wouldn't put much faith in the article this is the ONLY experimental evidence that it cites.

Another experiment involves asking subjects to cut up a photograph. When his team then measures their galvanic skin response - ie sweat production, which is what lie-detector tests monitors - there is a jump in the reading. This does not occur when a person destroys an object of less sentimental significance.



So he basicaly is using his philosophy to say that people should not teach science and that dawkins approach is counter productive.

Sounds like he is an apologist.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

One of the iconic books of my youth was Eric Hoffer's The True Believer. One of his theses is that some people have a "will to believe" and that they can be turned from one strong belief to a competely contary one quite rapidly. To illustrate this he quotes Goebbels about how Communists could be converted into the "best" Nazis.

I believe it was Jean Sheppard who popularized the saying, "Beware the True Believers. They are the worst kind."

[Elizabeth I]

Experimental psychologist? Don't those guys just run rats through mazes?:D

:bunpan

[Glen.Nogami]

One of the iconic books of my youth was Eric Hoffer's The True Believer. One of his theses is that some people have a "will to believe" and that they can be turned from one strong belief to a competely contary one quite rapidly. To illustrate this he quotes Goebbels about how Communists could be converted into the "best" Nazis.

I believe it was Jean Sheppard who popularized the saying, "Beware the True Believers. They are the worst kind."

Maybe the issue there is something in the brain wired for strong conviction or some neurotransmitter that enables it? Wouldn't that be great? Medications for excessive belief. If you or someone you know is suffering from irrational convictions, please, talk to your doctor about Rationaloft.