Philosophy Stack Exchange
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Questions tagged [cognitive-bias]

30 questions
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Is it possible to be completely objective?

Ideally, in all analysis, one would like to be completely objective. Is this possible? What are the indicators that my view is not objective? What philosophies or philosophers best address this concern? Edit: I have removed any mention of bias in…
user59124
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How can you know if your judgment is unbiased?

If one want to develop the skill that optimises the efficiency of the constant feedback loop that we engage in with ourselves (with intentions of self-development or a better understanding of the world), it is required that our judgments avoid…
Mike
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What is the fallacy / bias where the sample is taken after the fact?

I came across a post on Facebook which tried to celebrate how the "old ways" (when we were kids) are better, which went along the lines of: Like this post if you used to cycle around on your bike as a kid without a helmet and survived. (attempting…
komodosp
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Is it scientific or a logical error to claim something is true because I can't think of another explanation

The situation Let's say, someone is wrong on the internet. She says The forums on that newspaper article is closed. Apparently the newspaper want to suppress public debate. I reply: That's just a suspicion. Just because that's your first…
akraf
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If knowledge is structural, does "confirmation bias" follow of necessity?

That 'knowledge' is structural is fairly uncontroversial. Although there are certainly different types, I would like for sake of this question to characterize (what I see as) a generalization of the concept: Knowledge are familiarity or…
christo183
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How does philosophy not fall into the confirmation bias?

Daoism and Buddhism in Eastern philosophies emphasize adaptation and flexibility, and critique rationality. They have different frameworks to understand the same phenomenon, and different goals for our reactions to it, and I understand and like…
Ooker
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Fallacies and biases of analogical reasoning

When we observe a dog wounded in a traffic accident, for instance, we infer that the dog must be in pain, based on the analogy between humans and dogs and what we know about humans. The structure of this piece of reasoning can be unpacked as…
quanity
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Is there a name for when someone asserts something can't happen because it hasn't happened to them?

Recently on Twitter someone posted CCTV footage of a man leaving a launderette then one second later a drier explodes taking out the front of the building and the door he just left by, followed by billowing flames. He would have been seriously…
Sim Wood
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Difference between fallacies and biases

What is the basic difference between biases, such as confirmation bias, anchoring bias, etc., and fallacies such as argumentum ad antiquitatem, argumentum ad hominem, argumentum ad ignorantiam, etc.? How exactly do they differ, and how are they…
quanity
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What is the official name of the "but sometimes" logical fallacy or cognative bias?

Context We often put equal importance on differing options, without taking factors such as frequency or risk into account. Examples Traffic Lights In their video The LED Traffic Light and the Danger of "But Sometimes!" Technology Connections adeptly…
James Geddes
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Allais' paradox

Theories of practical rationality have usually taken it for granted that given a choice, people will prefer a maximum of expected utility. The Allais' paradox states that there are many situations in which perfectly reasonable people do not prefer a…
user43163
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Does everybody have a bias?

I was in a heated debate with a housemate, and they mentioned that 'Everyone has a bias'. At the time I disagreed, and these were my reasons: To say 'all have a bias' is to then say that I have a bias. If I have a bias, then I was either given a…
Meilton
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What is the basis of the sunk cost fallacy?

Is the so called sunk cost fallacy truly a total fallacy, or does it have some kernel of truth? Certainly it is a widespread instinctive/impulsive form of reasoning. Presumably it must then have had some evolutionary advantage that its application…
Seeking answers
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Veganism and Cognitive dissonance

I had a recent discussion with a friend about the ethics and morality of veganism. I defined veganism as the following Minimising harm to animals to the maximal extent Some background information, my friend is someone I consider to be…
R.Su
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What is the difference between the Narrative Fallacy and the Post-hoc Rationalization?

Or are they the same thing? Personally I fail to see the difference between these two, but I want to be sure. EDIT Narrative fallacy "Metaphors and stories are far more potent (alas) than ideas; they are also easier to remember and more fun to…
KarmaPeasant
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