8
The Problem of Egocentric Thinking
Egocentric thinking comes from the unfortunate fact that humans do not naturally
consider the rights and needs of others, nor do we naturally appreciate the point of
view of others or the limitations in our own point of view. We become explicitly aware
of our egocentric thinking only if trained to do so. We do not naturally recognise our
egocentric assumptions, the egocentric way we use information, the egocentric way
we interpret data, the source of our egocentric concepts and ideas, the implications
of our egocentric thought. We do not naturally recognise our self-serving perspective.
As humans, we live with the unrealistic but confident sense that we have
fundamentally figured out the way things actually are, and that we have done this
objectively. We naturally believe in our intuitive perceptions – however inaccurate.
Instead of using intellectual standards in thinking, we often use self-centred
psychological (rather than intellectual) standards to determine what to believe and
what to reject. Here are the most commonly used psychological standards in human
thinking.
“
IT’S TRUE BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT.” Innate egocentrism: I assume that what I believe is true, even
though I have never questioned the basis for many of my beliefs.
“
IT’S TRUE BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT.” Innate sociocentrism: I assume that the dominant beliefs
within the groups to which I belong are true, even though I have never questioned the basis for many
of these beliefs.
“
IT’S TRUE BECAUSE I WANT TO BELIEVE IT.” Innate wish fulfilment: I believe in, for example,
accounts of behaviour that put me (or the groups to which I belong) in a positive rather than a negative
light even though I have not seriously considered the evidence for the more negative account. I
believe what “feels good,” what supports my other beliefs, what does not require me to change my
thinking in any significant way, what does not require me to admit I have been wrong.
“
IT’S TRUE BECAUSE I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED IT.” Innate self-validation: I have a strong
desire to maintain beliefs that I have long held, even though I have not seriously considered the extent
to which those beliefs are justified, given the evidence.
“
IT’S TRUE BECAUSE IT IS IN MY SELFIS INTEREST TO BELIEVE IT.” Innate selfishness: I hold
fast to beliefs that justify my getting more power, money, or personal advantage even though these
beliefs are not grounded in sound reasoning or evidence.
Since humans are naturally prone to assess thinking in keeping with the above
criteria, it is not surprising that we, as a species, have not developed a significant
interest in establishing and teaching legitimate intellectual standards. It is not
surprising that our thinking is often flawed. We are truly the “self-deceived animal.”