Why Facts Don’t Change Our Minds

“Faced with a choice between changing one’s mind and proving there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy with the proof.” -J.K. Galbraith

“The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him.” -Leo Tolstoy

“Belief makes us human. Belief is our tool to dance with a possible future, confront our fears, and build community. Our personal taste and our preferences belong to us as well, helping us believe in ourselves…There’s more proof in the world than ever before, not less. It’s no longer, “I’ll believe it when I see it,” but instead, “I am confident enough to change my mind and informed enough to do the math and understand the concepts”…But the time we spend arguing about proof that we’re not prepared to accept is simply wasted. Belief needs proof the way a fish needs a bicycle.” – Seth Godin

“Always remember that to argue, and win, is to break down the reality of the person you are arguing against. It is painful to lose your reality, so be kind, even if you are right.” -Haruki Murakami

“I criticize by creation. Not by finding fault.” -Cicero

Some excellent articles have been written about this subject. Like this one and this one. Interestingly enough, all three articles employ the exact same headline “Why Facts Don’t Change Our Minds.” I encourage you to read and reflect on them.

TLDR/Spoiler alert: So much of the answer comes down to one word…

Belief.

Yours and theirs.

Once you become aware of this, you’ll have much more empathy and kindness.

Towards yourself. And others.

One reason great art can penetrate is that it aims for the heart. Not the head.