14
votes
Accepted
What is the fallacy / bias where the sample is taken after the fact?
The example with the bicycles would seem to fall into the category of survivorship bias (which can apply to more than just physical survival of people but also more general survival of data points ...
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4
votes
Is it possible to be completely objective?
Bias is a disposition of mind. Most of our biases are traits of the structure of human mind: we have biases as long as we are human beings. What the question implies, if I understand it correctly, is ...
- 169
3
votes
Difference between fallacies and biases
A fallacy is flawed reasoning. For instance, if one concludes that a math proof is correct, not on the merits of the steps of the proof, but because a famous mathematician is providing it, the ...
- 20.6k
3
votes
How can you know if your judgment is unbiased?
First, it helps to know what the common cognitive biases are, so that you can be aware of the possibility of being biased whenever they might apply.
In general, to eliminate bias you need to construct ...
- 10.7k
3
votes
Is it scientific or a logical error to claim something is true because I can't think of another explanation
The forums on that newspaper article is closed. Apparently the newspaper want to suppress public debate.
With these exact words, I'd vote for argument from ignorance and jumping to conclusions. ...
- 529
3
votes
Is it possible to be completely objective?
I will split my answer in a few sections. Do not take my answer as a complete one, but merely as some considerations to have when wondering about "objectivity."
TL:DR
You must ask yourself ...
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2
votes
Is it scientific or a logical error to claim something is true because I can't think of another explanation
All that follows from your not being able to find another explanation is - that you cannot find another explanation. There is no valid inference from 'I cannot think of another explanation of X than Y'...
- 35.3k
2
votes
How can you know if your judgment is unbiased?
Short Answer
For the philosopher, bias is generally engaged through metaphysical discourse and an investigation of 'what is objectivity' through the lenses of epistemology, ontology, and axiology, ...
- 20.6k
2
votes
If knowledge is structural, does "confirmation bias" follow of necessity?
Well, yeah.
A version of this problem has been tacked by many people for millennia. In terms of philosophical school, the idea can be found in the ancient school of skepticism.
In terms of examples, ...
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2
votes
Veganism and Cognitive dissonance
The zeal of your beliefs on the matter has prevented you from seeing your question assumes a false dichotomy (actually, trichotomy). Looking at your last paragraph, you have neglected the possibility ...
2
votes
Veganism and Cognitive dissonance
The short view is this. Human beings have emotions, and they have objects of those emotions. A person may look at the NSDAP's bent cross with horror, or they may have positive feelings towards it. The ...
- 20.6k
2
votes
Why is a rare but unique kind of event seen as more surprising as a rare but common kind of event?
Your question is based on a misunderstanding. If you take an individual event it might have a low probability p. If you take a basket of n events each with a probability p, the chance that at least ...
- 9,314
1
vote
Veganism and Cognitive dissonance
Your friend shows a classic case of what the Existentialists call acting in bad faith. He is not facing his freedom, or accepting responsibility and accountability for his actions.
Akrasia certainly ...
- 19.8k
1
vote
Veganism and Cognitive dissonance
The nature of life, is that life multiplies dramatically, and there are scarce resources. As a result, our universe is designed such that every living thing, in order to survive, must compete ...
- 9,769
1
vote
Veganism and Cognitive dissonance
The question seems not about ethics and philosophy, but about psychology.
In typical humans, empathy with others (humans, animals) is an ability, not a compulsion. During extreme situations though, ...
- 3,405
1
vote
Veganism and Cognitive dissonance
You may always struggle with this is issue, whether it presents within friendships or outside of them.
Maintaining friendships with those who operate under substantially different ethical frameworks ...
- 3,996
1
vote
How can you know if your judgment is unbiased?
Humans are very bad at identifying and eliminating cognitive bias in themselves. Everyone likes to think they are unbiased. But talk to anyone you know on a subject you disagree on, and you will ...
- 9,769
1
vote
If knowledge is structural, does "confirmation bias" follow of necessity?
The basic concept as outlined is well-represented in philosophy, though no one I know of uses this particular terminology. 'Confirmation bias' is a modern term — mid-20th century — and is mostly used ...
- 18k
1
vote
Does everybody have a bias?
Does everybody have a bias?
It's more accurate to say that everyone, without exception, has biases. From the WP article on bias:
Bias is disproportionate weight in favor of or against an idea or ...
- 20.6k
1
vote
Why do I doubt my instincts and instead take a wrong decision for that task or situation though the answer or solution or strategy is within my reach?
This is a great concern for Taoism, and for Zen Buddhism. These can be described as Philosophers or philosophical traditions that reject symbolic reasoning There is great emphasis on acting with ...
- 19.8k
1
vote
What can be the cause for this mess I'm or the road to insanity I am on? Or is it that I am insane or with an unsound mind?
I am not a trained behavioral health practitioner, but from your description of your symptoms you could be in the early stages of schizophrenia. Philosophy cannot help you here; Futilitarian is right- ...
- 7,463
1
vote
What can be the cause for this mess I'm or the road to insanity I am on? Or is it that I am insane or with an unsound mind?
As counterintuitive as it may sound, both thoughts and actions are driven by emotions. Believing thoughts are the source of drive is a clear road to confusion and suffering. Moreover, most processing ...
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1
vote
Does the confirmation bias really exist?
Whether humans in general are affected by this is a question for psychology, not philosophy.
Studies about the confirmation bias which are themselves affected by it would be ironical, but do not pose ...
- 3,405
1
vote
How does indexicality relates to causality?
Semiotic theory of American philosopher and mathematician C.S. Peirce elaborates philosophy of index according to reference here:
Peirce argued that logic is the formal study of signs in the broadest ...
- 4,203
1
vote
What bias it would be called?
If you only have 2 options, and the known bias for option 1 is the only known bias from your end, then it seems rational and deontic you choose option 2 assuming you do want to get rid of your bias/...
- 4,203
1
vote
Is it self-defeating for commentators to tell people not to believe or trust the media?
Journalism and journalistic ethics is an interesting topic for philosophy, one that should be considered more. The propagandist attitudes of Hitler's & Stalin's regimes assumed that control of ...
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1
vote
Accepted
Is this an application of the sunk cost fallacy?
Is it sunk cost fallacy if it results in productive behavior?
Whether something is a fallacy doesn't depend on behavior; it depends on the form of reasoning.
"Is it the fallacy" and "is it an ...
- 20.6k
1
vote
If knowledge is structural, does "confirmation bias" follow of necessity?
Caveat
I'm going to reduce your statements presuming that the reformulation is accurate; please let me know if it's not.
Reformulation
Knowledge is structured by propositions articulated by people ...
- 20.6k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible