Re: Evolution of Thought
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what I am ASKING is why are those beliefs so resistant to change.
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Here's some idle speculation
1. It's necessary to maintain continuity in thought. If we let go of beliefs too quickly, it is hard to finish a task. There is a continuing tension between continuity and innovation -- improving one worsens the other -- so our brains are in between.
2. Rigid beliefs are necessary for organizing thought. We've read how once people have a belief, all subsequent evidence is interpreted to reinforce that belief. Without this system of organization, our thoughts are random and ineffectual at doing anything, and we do not know what to do with new information. It is better to do things wrong sometimes than to not do.
3. Protection from bewilderment. There are so many contending ideas and demands, you have to stick with something, otherwise you flounder.
4. Note that at its simplest, the only purpose of the brain is to time contractions of muscles. (Thank you R. Dawkins.) There is a chasm between the brain and the universe of interaction. It is like operating a Mars rover from Florida. We cannot expect the timing of muscle use to come very close to optimum EV.
4. Why would you expect the brain to work so well? It came from mud.
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