We like ideas that support our point of view

seedling

planted May 28, 2021

Confirmation bias describes the tendency to prefer arguments and information that support your own point of view rather than opposing arguments.

The human mind prefers arguments it agrees with, because we like to strengthen our own point of view.

This is why we tend to live in our own filter bubble, in which our own viewpoint is echoed all the time. This strengthens the idea, that this view is the only true one, because we never see the other side.

However, only we search for opposing arguments to broaden our mind and get new insights.

It is important to confront yourself with other ideas and therefore to specifically look and analyse arguments that differ from your point of view.

The problem of confirmation bias is, that it happens to everybody, all the time. You have to remember yourself every time to consider other arguments. Charles Darwin wrote down the biggest arguments against his ideas to put himself into this position.

You should try to always keep an open mind for other opinions and weigh them as much as ideas that you agree with.

If you work with a Zettelkasten, it should be completely neutral. Keep an open mind when creating notes. Arguments you don't agree with should be in there as much as ideas you do agree with. This allows to create a discussion in your Zettelkasten and enables great opportunities for links between your notes.