False ideas are dead in silence but remembered when repeated. Thus, false ideas die out when nobody talks about them but persist when we talk about them. As long as we talk about them, false ideas are like stains on the wall that are difficult to remove.
The following discussions will give four (4) factors of the persistence of false ideas.
People tend to talk about false ideas when they complain about them or explain ideas they think are false to refute them. As a result, they are more concerned with criticizing and explaining the spread of ideas they consider wrong than ideas they believe are right.
While comparing, explaining or criticizing ideas, we often relate them to counter ideas we believe are false. By doing so, we are reinforcing an idea we want people to forget.
About public relations, for example, a lot has been said about the profession. People define Public Relations as spin doctors, PR professionals dictate to journalists what they write, PR experts are only relied upon in times of emergencies or crisis, PR is primarily concerned with getting media coverage, etc.
These are all misconceptions about Public Relations. PR goes beyond the aforementioned. However, when we spend time countering or refuting those inaccurate notions of the profession, we make those notions about the profession familiar to new audiences and thus make those notions relevant.
Another reason false ideas persist is that most people argue to win, not to learn. People argue most of the time to win rather than to gain new knowledge. As a result, they stick to their ideas even when they receive new information that contradicts or disaffirms their beliefs. This phenomenon is due to their inability to be open-minded and the issue of intellectual egoism, as they act like they are intellectually attacked whenever someone opposes their beliefs, so they cling to their original ideas or tenaciously maintain their positions to counter them.
Let me give you an example. Imagine two friends discussing climate change. One person feels that human activity is the fundamental cause, while another believes it is just a natural cycle. Instead of sincerely listening to each other’s ideas and seeking common ground, they may get into a heated argument, attempting to prove their side and “win” the debate. Their focus will be on winning rather than exploring new knowledge or considering alternative ideas. As a result, false ideas can persist since the priority becomes defending their position over pursuing the truth.
The phenomenon of group conformity is another reason false ideas persist. This term explains how individuals in a group adapt their attitudes, convictions, behaviours, or perceptions to fit in with the group’s norms, customs, or beliefs to be accepted by the group. As a result, for an individual to blend in with members of the group, they must behave or think like other members of the group. Ideas become customs and customs eventually become truths. Anything that deviates from their belief truth must be suppressed and laughed at. Thus, people tend to be influenced by their groups to hold onto ideas even if they are false, and any contradictions with evidence to what they think is true are seen as deviations from their believed truth.
Consider a scenario where a group of students are discussing a historical event. One student delivers a commonly acknowledged version of the event, while another offers a lesser-known viewpoint that contradicts the dominant story. Instead of engaging in an open-minded and respectful discussion to analyze evidence and evaluate different points of view, the majority of the group may disregard the alternative opinion without considering its validity. This group conformity can prevent the exploration of different interpretations and contribute to the persistence of false ideas.
False ideas can occasionally emanate from authoritative or political figures. These authoritative or political figures have a mixed or a variety of ideas that may affect their followers. Thus, authoritative or political figures can reinforce and propagate false ideas, as people may believe and accept information from these sources without questioning it. They sometimes spread false ideas to score political points or to gain political advantage.
One example is the controversy around the COVID-19 vaccination when the pandemic was at its peak. As a result of the government’s desire to keep people healthy by requiring them to take the vaccine, people putting their lives in danger by refusing to be vaccinated, opposition to their political agendas or political interests in the form of fact, and aided by self-reinforcing meme of which they are victims to confirm their belief that they are doing the right thing by refusing the vaccination.
To wrap up, the persistence of false ideas is a complex phenomenon influenced by various factors as elaborated above. These factors create a perfect storm that allows false ideas to take root and spread, even in the face of contradictory evidence. Overcoming this persistence requires a commitment to critical thinking, open-mindedness, and the willingness to challenge our own beliefs.
BY: HINSON JOSHUA
