“A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.”
— William James
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Simplified Meaning:
Sometimes, people believe they are using their minds and coming up with new ideas when they are actually just repacking old, biased opinions. They aren’t really thinking deeply or questioning themselves, but just moving pieces of their existing beliefs around. Imagine a person who always thinks badly of others from a different country. When they meet someone from that country, instead of getting to know them and seeing them as an individual, they immediately judge them based on their preconceived notions. This isn't real thinking; it's just reusing old prejudices. To truly think, we need to question our beliefs and be open to new perspectives. By doing this, we can make fairer judgments and better decisions in life.
Related tags
Bias Critical thinking Introspection Mindfulness Perception Prejudice Psychology Reflection Self-awareness Thought
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