Kahneman: Theory Induced Blindness

Daniel Kahneman discusses 'theory-induced blindness,' a cognitive bias where deeply held theories blind individuals to their flaws despite contradictory evidence. He links this to motivated reasoning and confirmation bias, noting that System 2 thinking, while capable of challenging such beliefs, is easily fatigued.

Just a simple extract from Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking Fast and Slow, with Kahneman discussing his idea of ‘theory-induced blindness’. This is such where we embed an idea, theory or tool so well into our thinking and routines, that we become blind to its flaws potentially in the face of contradictory evidence . It seems to tie in with motivated reasoning, confirmation bias, disqualification heuristic and more. Kahneman notes that while the type 2 processing ‘System 2’ has a key role in challenging such beliefs, it’s “easily tired”, and as argued earlier in the book, convinced. PS. Checkout my YouTube channel – https://youtube.com/@safe as pod?si=N7pLnVXHURjJigBi https://youtube.com/@safe as pod?si=N7pLnVXHURjJigBi