Even simple facts, when learned superficially, can turn against you, for reasons related to representativeness bias. Norbert Schwarz et alal. write1:
Even simple facts, when learned superficially, can turn against you, for reasons related to representativeness bias. Norbert Schwarz et al write1:
Intelligence, in order to be useful, must be used for something other than defeating itself. Having a large knowledgeKnowledge of human heuristics and biases will tend to may cause people to selectively applyfind those biases toin arguments that they disagree with. This ability to destroy arguments that aren't already supportedaccepted will make a technically smarter (or sophisticated)more knowledgeable person less able to change their views when presented with evidence.evidence.
Intelligence, in order to be useful, must be used for something other than defeating itself. Having a large knowledge of human heuristics and biases will tend to cause people to selectively apply those biases to arguments that they disagree with. This ability to destroy arguments that aren't already supported will make a technically smarter (or sophisticated) person less able to change their views when presented with evidence.
Intelligence, in order to be useful, must be used for something other than defeating itself.
↩Schwarz, N., Sanna, L.J., Skurnik, I., & Yoon, C. (2007). "Metacognitive experiences and the intricacies of setting people straight: Implications for debiasing and public information campaigns". Advances in Experimental Social Psychology 39: 127-161.