Smart people believe weird things because they are skilled at defending beliefs they arrived at for non-smart reasons.
What's the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: This quote challenges the assumption that intelligence or knowledge guarantees rational or logical beliefs. It suggests that even intelligent individuals may hold unconventional or irrational beliefs due to their ability to defend or justify them, rather than based on objective reasoning or evidence. It implies that cognitive biases, emotional attachments, and other subjective factors can influence our beliefs, regardless of our intelligence or expertise. It encourages humility and critical self-reflection, reminding us that intelligence alone does not necessarily equate to always holding rational or evidence-based beliefs.
Who said the quote?
The quote “Smart people believe weird things because they are skilled at defending beliefs they arrived at for non-smart reasons.” was said in the book Why People Believe Weird Things (Summary) by Michael Shermer. Michael Shermer is a science writer and founder of The Skeptics Society, which promotes scientific skepticism.
* The editor of this interpretation made every effort to maintain information accuracy. This includes the source and any key ideas or meanings conveyed in it.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
