CAN FACTS CHANGE OUR MINDS?
Have you ever tried to convince a friend who disagrees with you that you are right? Even when you present scientific facts, your friend isn't convinced. Most people have had a similar experience. When people already have an opinion, it is almost impossible to change their minds. We can see this, for example, when discussing climate change. Temperatures are rising and there are more and more dangerous storms but some people still claim that the climate isn't changing.(lines 1–5)
Why do people stick to their beliefs despite facts showing that they are wrong? Scientists Mercier and Sperber claim that humans have behaved this way since ancient times, when they lived in tribes. No one could survive alone, so they had to accept the beliefs of the tribe. Anyone who thought differently was forced to leave. Although today people can survive alone, it is still important to belong to a group. Being accepted by a social circle is often more valuable to people than learning the truth.(lines 6–10)
Another reason people won't change their minds may be that the information they get supports what they already believe. People rarely see information that contradicts their beliefs. The sources of their information, like the newspapers they choose to read, the social groups they belong to and the TV programs they watch, all say the same thing, so they are sure that what they believe is the truth.(lines 11–14)
So, is there any hope of changing people's minds? According to writer James Clear, the only chance you have of changing someone's opinion is if the two of you agree on most other subjects. James Clear also claims that convincing people to change their beliefs means that they might have to leave their social circle. Therefore, in order to succeed, you have to bring them into your own circle of friends. The bottom line is that facts don't change people's minds but friendship may.(lines 15–19)