Why We Should Choose Science over Beliefs – By Michael Shermer

Found via The Big Picture.

Ever since college I have been a libertarian—socially liberal and fiscally conservative. I believe in individual liberty and personal responsibility. I also believe in science as the greatest instrument ever devised for understanding the world. So what happens when these two principles are in conflict? My libertarian beliefs have not always served me well. Like most people who hold strong ideological convictions, I find that, too often, my beliefs trump the scientific facts. This is called motivated reasoning, in which our brain reasons our way to supporting what we want to be true. Knowing about the existence of motivated reasoning, however, can help us overcome it when it is at odds with evidence.

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The article above reminded me of some quotes:

“Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what every man wishes, that he also believes to be true.” –Demosthenes

“Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.” –John Kenneth Galbraith

“We work really hard never to get confused with what we know from what we think or hope or wish.” –Seth Klarman

"So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do." –Ben Franklin