The psychology of pathological homeostasis

[Uwauwa]

Here is a very powerful explanation of where we are today with anti-Israel/pro-Palestine sentiment and Donald Trump/Kamala Harris situation.

“A man with a conviction is a hard man to change. Tell him you disagree and he turns away. Show him facts or figures and he questions your sources. Appeal to logic and he fails to see your point.

We have all experienced the futility of trying to change a strong conviction, especially if the convinced person has some investment in his belief. We are familiar with the variety of ingenious defenses with which people protect their convictions, managing to keep them unscathed through the most devastating attacks.

But man’s resourcefulness goes beyond simply protecting a belief. Suppose an individual believes something with his whole heart; suppose further that he has a commitment to this belief, that he has taken irrevocable actions because of it; finally, suppose that he is presented with evidence, unequivocal and undeniable evidence, that his belief is wrong: what will happen? The individual will frequently emerge, not only unshaken, but even more convinced of the truth of his beliefs than ever before. Indeed, he may even show a new fervor about convincing and converting other people to his view.”

- Leon Festinger, When Prophecy Fails: A Social & Psychological Study of a Modern Group that Predicted the Destruction of the World

 

[kherg007]

I remember this passage when taking a social psych course back in undergrad days.
We're living it now.

 

[Frankfooter]

Here is a very powerful explanation of where we are today with Israel/Palestine and Donald Trump/Kamala Harris situation.

“A man with a conviction is a hard man to change. Tell him you disagree and he turns away. Show him facts or figures and he questions your sources. Appeal to logic and he fails to see your point.

We have all experienced the futility of trying to change a strong conviction, especially if the convinced person has some investment in his belief. We are familiar with the variety of ingenious defenses with which people protect their convictions, managing to keep them unscathed through the most devastating attacks.

But man’s resourcefulness goes beyond simply protecting a belief. Suppose an individual believes something with his whole heart; suppose further that he has a commitment to this belief, that he has taken irrevocable actions because of it; finally, suppose that he is presented with evidence, unequivocal and undeniable evidence, that his belief is wrong: what will happen? The individual will frequently emerge, not only unshaken, but even more convinced of the truth of his beliefs than ever before. Indeed, he may even show a new fervor about convincing and converting other people to his view.”

- Leon Festinger, When Prophecy Fails: A Social & Psychological Study of a Modern Group that Predicted the Destruction of the World

Zionists convictions argue they are the 'chosen people', as shazi claims, who as superior beings have the right to colonize Palestine through genocide and apartheid of people they think are lesser humans.

Palestinians convictions say they are indigenous and trying to protect their land and homes.

That's closer to reality.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1853061285551784136

 

[niniveh]

Here is a very powerful explanation of where we are today with Israel/Palestine and Donald Trump/Kamala Harris situation.

“A man with a conviction is a hard man to change. Tell him you disagree and he turns away. Show him facts or figures and he questions your sources. Appeal to logic and he fails to see your point.

We have all experienced the futility of trying to change a strong conviction, especially if the convinced person has some investment in his belief. We are familiar with the variety of ingenious defenses with which people protect their convictions, managing to keep them unscathed through the most devastating attacks.

But man’s resourcefulness goes beyond simply protecting a belief. Suppose an individual believes something with his whole heart; suppose further that he has a commitment to this belief, that he has taken irrevocable actions because of it; finally, suppose that he is presented with evidence, unequivocal and undeniable evidence, that his belief is wrong: what will happen? The individual will frequently emerge, not only unshaken, but even more convinced of the truth of his beliefs than ever before. Indeed, he may even show a new fervor about convincing and converting other people to his view.”

- Leon Festinger, When Prophecy Fails: A Social & Psychological Study of a Modern Group that Predicted the Destruction of the World

Sign of our times that tomes we read ages ago are suddenly coming alive. Festinger is one, Hannah Arendt (Totalitarianism), Hoffer (True Believer),
Adorno et al (Authoritarian Personality) all come to mind.
However, when it comes to Trump or Netanyahu, Festinger were he alive today, would be IMO tempted to change CONVICTION to DELUSION.

“A man with a conviction is a hard man to change. Tell him you disagree and he turns away. Show him facts or figures and he questions your sources. Appeal to logic and he fails to see your point."

 

[Uwauwa]

Sign of our times that tomes we read ages ago are suddenly coming alive. Festinger is one, Hannah Arendt (Totalitarianism), Hoffer (True Believer),
Adorno et al (Authoritarian Personality) all come to mind.
However, when it comes to Trump or Netanyahu, Festinger were he alive today, would be IMO tempted to change CONVICTION to DELUSION.

“A man with a conviction is a hard man to change. Tell him you disagree and he turns away. Show him facts or figures and he questions your sources. Appeal to logic and he fails to see your point."

or “a man with a parasitic mind virus”

 

[shack]

Here is a very powerful explanation of where we are today with anti-Israel/pro-Palestine sentiment and Donald Trump/Kamala Harris situation.

“A man with a conviction is a hard man to change. Tell him you disagree and he turns away. Show him facts or figures and he questions your sources. Appeal to logic and he fails to see your point.

We have all experienced the futility of trying to change a strong conviction, especially if the convinced person has some investment in his belief. We are familiar with the variety of ingenious defenses with which people protect their convictions, managing to keep them unscathed through the most devastating attacks.

But man’s resourcefulness goes beyond simply protecting a belief. Suppose an individual believes something with his whole heart; suppose further that he has a commitment to this belief, that he has taken irrevocable actions because of it; finally, suppose that he is presented with evidence, unequivocal and undeniable evidence, that his belief is wrong: what will happen? The individual will frequently emerge, not only unshaken, but even more convinced of the truth of his beliefs than ever before. Indeed, he may even show a new fervor about convincing and converting other people to his view.”

- Leon Festinger, When Prophecy Fails: A Social & Psychological Study of a Modern Group that Predicted the Destruction of the World

Good post(s).

If I may respectfully make a tiny suggestion, I think you should remove the "a" before "conviction". It totally changes how that sentence can be interpreted. It sounds like somebody who's been found guilty of something as opposed to someone who has strong feelings/opinions on a topic.

p.s. I see you are not the actual author, but my point stands. I hope Festinger would not have minded.

 

[Bucktee]

TDS and Orange Man Bad explained.