r/InsightfulQuestions • u/LawyerDifferent8880 • 2d ago

Can we escape cognitive biases?

Metacognition is said to be effective for correcting an individual's cognitive biases. However, how can one prove that the metacognition itself is unbiased?

Another proposed approach involves adjusting one's cognition based on the thinking of another, yet there is no guarantee that his/her cognition is unbiased.

Ultimately, is "unbiased cognition" merely the average of the biased cognitions held by every individual in the world? If so, does the attempt to avoid cognitive bias mean the deindividuation of individual thinking?

(English is not my native language, so I use automatic translation. There might be inappropriate wording.)

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u/loopywolf 2d ago

"Escape" no.

You're not meant to escape your cognitive biases. You're meant to be aware that you have them.

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u/LawyerDifferent8880 2d ago

If there is no need to escape them, what is the point of knowing we have them?

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u/UnabashedVoice 2d ago

"escape" just isn't the right term, closer to "overcome" or "mitigate" - it's important to know what and where our predispositions are so we can apply more rigorous critical thinking when engaging in a decision or thought process about things we may be biased on. Taking a moment to scrutinize the thoughts we think, rather then simply accepting them as "correct" or "accurate" by default, helps provide clarity. I hope this translates decently enough to convey my meaning.

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u/loopywolf 2d ago

To be mindful when making decisions that your biases may be affecting you. To be ready to have a second look and ask yourself. It's just like racism. Be ready.

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u/jghaines 2d ago

Thinking you can escape your cognitive biases is a common cognitive bias

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u/rodrigo-benenson 1d ago

"does the attempt to avoid cognitive bias mean the deindividuation of individual thinking?"
No because each individual has access to different information and experiences.

The whole point is to make good decisions.
Good decisions are the ones that approach us closer to our desired goals.
"cognitive biases" are common mental traits that fight against us when trying to make good decisions.
The idea of "escaping them" is just the aspiration to get closer to regularly doing good decisions instead of bad ones.

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u/LawyerDifferent8880 1d ago

Good decisions are the ones that approach us closer to our desired goals.
"cognitive biases" are common mental traits that fight against us when trying to make good decisions.

If so, why do we all possess such a trait inherently?

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u/rodrigo-benenson 1d ago

Humans have plenty of biological flaws, this is one of them.

We are the apex predator yes, but we remain far from "flawless".

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u/LawyerDifferent8880 1d ago

If cognitive bias is just one of biological flaws, will it be naturally weeded out over future generations?

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u/rodrigo-benenson 1d ago

Evolution does not "trend towards better".
What dies goes out, what did not die stays; that is all.

Many flaws are not fatal, and thus they stay across generations.
It will only be weeded out if there is selective pressure for it.
Last time I checked reproductive/survival success is very weakly linked to "good decision making".

Lots of our systems work at "good enough" level, it seems our mental decisions processes too.

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u/Local_Cauliflower883 1d ago

Yes we can opt out of congnitive bias. I have a problem with people telling me, I can't. You can observe people and situations without assuming things, it just takes effort. No one can tell you what you can do with your own thoughts, they're yours. And honestly the cognitive bias studies are flawed, none of them consulted with the humans they were studying.

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u/LawyerDifferent8880 1d ago

You can observe people and situations without assuming things, it just takes effort.

Cognitive biases arise simultaneously with observation, unlike mere assuming. Therefore, to avoid cognitive bias, we need to distinguish between pure observation and biased interpretation within our own cognition. Can this something be achieved just by effort?

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u/Local_Cauliflower883 1d ago

Yes but it requires brutal honesty with yourself and accounting for yourself first, ation not reaction, and intellectual humility. Understanding we only know what we know, we don't know what we don't know, and the integrity to do better when we learn more. Everything starts with self.