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"如果有人不重视证据,你要提供什么证据来证明他们应该重视它?"

Sam Harris
Sam Harris Author, Philosopher, Neuroscientist
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Quote meaning
Trying to persuade someone who doesn’t hold evidence in high regard can feel like hitting your head against a brick wall. Imagine you're trying to convince a flat-earther that the Earth is round. You pull out pictures from space, scientific explanations, and videos. But none of it seems to make a dent. Why? Because they simply don’t value the same evidence you do. That’s the core idea here: if someone doesn’t already believe evidence is important, no amount of evidence will change their mind.

This perspective comes up a lot in discussions about science and misinformation. Think back to times when public health officials have tried to promote vaccinations. There’s a segment of the population that simply doesn’t trust scientific data. No matter how many studies are presented, they remain unmoved. This quote highlights the futility in trying to use evidence to convince someone who doesn’t see it as valuable in the first place.

Consider a real-life situation: a friend is adamant that climate change isn’t real. You’ve got stacks of scientific reports and data ready. But for them, it’s all about what they hear from certain media sources or personal beliefs. You might as well be speaking another language. It’s frustrating, right? You’re armed with facts, but they’re not interested.

So, how do you deal with this in practical terms? First, understand that direct confrontation with evidence isn’t likely to work. Instead, build trust and find common ground on less contentious topics. Through personal connection, you may create a bridge where logical discussion can later occur. Another strategy is to use stories or analogies that resonate on an emotional level, rather than overwhelming someone with data.

Now, let’s paint a picture of how this might look in action. Imagine you’re at a family dinner, and the topic of healthy eating comes up. Your cousin insists that a diet of fast food is just as healthy as anything else. You could cite all the studies, nutritional data, and expert opinions, but they just shrug it off. Instead, you talk about how you used to feel sluggish and tired all the time, but after you started eating more vegetables and whole foods, you noticed a big boost in your energy levels. You’re not just drowning them in facts—they can’t ignore your personal experience.

The key takeaway here is that when someone doesn’t value evidence, you’ve got to switch up your approach. Don’t hammer them with data. Share personal stories, find common interests, and build trust. It’s a longer route, but it’s often more effective. Think of it as planting a seed. It may take time to grow, but with patience and care, it might just bloom into a change of heart.

So next time you’re in a debate and feel like you’re going in circles, remember this: sometimes the path to changing minds isn’t a straight line. It’s about connection, empathy, and patience—things that don’t always show up in a dataset but can make all the difference.
Related tags
Argumentation Belief Critical thinking Debate Epistemology Evidence Logic Persuasion Reasoning Skepticism
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