Theory contradicting facts remains true when the facts are mystified.

Evidence

In the nineteenth century, the theories of socialism translated the primary myth into sociological terms—or rather discovered in the given historical possibilities the rational core of the myth. Then, however, the reverse movement occurred. Today, the rational and realistic notions of yesterday again appear to be mythological when confronted with the actual conditions. The reality of the laboring classes in advanced industrial society makes the Marxian “proletariat” a mythological concept; the reality of present-day socialism makes the Marxian idea a dream. The reversal is caused by the contradiction between theory and facts—a contradiction which, by itself, does not yet falsify the former. — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, 688

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Knowledge out of proportion to real forces is invalid despite correctness. — Theodor W. Adorno, Minima Moralia: Reflections from…, 72; A claim’s falsity does not bar it from structuring thought — Michel Foucault, Society Must Be Defended, 179; People experiencing cognitive dissonance often avoid or reinterpret contradictory information rather than abandoning their beliefs when confronted with truth. — Festinger’s Law (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Established reality structurally resists the logic of contradiction. #corroborates (0.85) — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, 536
• A claim’s falsity does not bar it from structuring thought #expands (0.82) — Michel Foucault, Society Must Be Defended, 179
• Belief perseverance persists even when evidence establishing it is shown false #exemplifies (0.78) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2586
• Stereotypes survive contradictory evidence when they emerge from rationalization rather than hasty judgment. #exemplifies (0.75)
• Evidence that contradicted officials’ plot assumptions unsettled their confidence #contradicts (0.75)