False consciousness makes people hold beliefs contrary to their own interests

Evidence

It gets downright problematic, if, as psychology professor Chris French points out, one criticizes from a scientific, skeptical perspective, ideas that give someone stability in life: “Such situations are difficult for skeptics, because often, we attack some cherished belief, a belief that gives someone great solace. Sure, one can say, one should learn to cherish the beauty and greatness of scientific understanding – but not everybody can do that.” Therefore, he held back his comments when the son of a university employee wanted to undergo mistletoe therapy as the last hope in uncurable cancer. — Holm Gero Hümmler, Ulrike Schiesser, Fact and Prejudice, 261 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Backfire effectPsychological phenomenon where the presentation of true information that conflicts with someone’s mistaken beliefs causes them to hold those beliefs even more strongly. — Lee McIntyre, Post-Truth, 350 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Empiricism that rejects transitive concepts commits itself to false consciousness — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man: Studies in the…, 457; Activists came to believe they themselves were self-interested despite contrary evidence — Nina Eliasoph, Avoiding politics: how Americans…, 1361; People can sincerely promote useful falsehoods without conscious base motives (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Criticizing a comforting false belief can harm more than it helps #complicates (0.78) — Holm Gero Hümmler, Ulrike Schiesser, Fact and Prejudice, 261
• Correcting false beliefs can strengthen them rather than reduce them #complicates (0.72) — Lee McIntyre, Post-Truth, 350