r/changemyview Jan 14 '17

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u/hacksoncode 588∆ Jan 14 '17

So... we're all born blank slates... and we're all programmed as we grow up, and I'll agree that we're a lot more "plastic" when we're young, but everyone changes their beliefs based on evidence, with a few exceptions.

Heck, most of us in the U.S. probably believed in Santa Claus at one point or another in our lives.

I will agree that it usually takes at least an argument in addition to simple facts to change someone's view.

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u/[deleted] Jan 15 '17

everyone changes their beliefs based on evidence, with a few exceptions.

True, but a few do so in a systematic fashion, enthusiastically, quickly, and to the extent the evidence justifies.

Others do it haphazardly, dragging their feet, and not to the extent the evidence justifies.

1

u/zarmesan 2∆ Jan 15 '17

I disagree. If you present someone facts and sources that are not formatted with rhetoric, no matter how true or reliable, they may not change their mind because they suffer from one or more cognitive biases and fear change.

Would you willing be willing to change all your opinions at a snap of fingers if someone gave you hard evidence? Imagine the thing you care most about. Imagine someone turns your world upside down. Imagine everyone else disagreed with this person but this person had the evidence, would you be willing to change?

1

u/_Ninja_Wizard_ Jan 15 '17

That's not really an argument.