Emotional Biases, The Truth and George Zimmerman

In a case where people are strongly divided on their opinions on a person’s right to own a gun and defend themselves–getting to the truth is a lot harder.

Why?

Because of emotional bias.

When people have a strong belief in something, they will cling to it at all costs–and will even disregard the truth repeatedly.

Science has studied this and found that our emotions trump logic nearly every time.

It’s a human shortcoming people have unless they are (A) aware of it, (B) work hard to overcome it–which is not an easy process. It requires looking in the mirror and identifying your own shortcomings–which most people don’t do.

So when we see all these people testify that they believe they heard the person screaming and know who it is–I don’t put much weight on it.  Some of the testimony has been flat out ridiculous!  They are just convincing themselves of what they want to believe to support their emotional biases.

If you strongly believe in self-defense and gun ownership, you are likely siding with the defense. If you don’t, and feel strongly opposed, you will agree with the prosecution–regardless of the truth.

Those who are not strongly opinionated will have the best chance at seeing the truth by wading through the facts.

Are you biased?  Do you take that into consideration when searching for the truth?