In other words, I claim, if we really want to improve our judgment as individuals and as societies, what we need most is not more instruction in logic or rhetoric or probability or economics, even though those things are quite valuable. But what we most need to use those principles well is scout mindset. We need to change the way we feel. We need to learn how to feel proud instead of ashamed when we notice we might have been wrong about something. We need to learn how to feel intrigued instead of defensive when we encounter information that contradicts our beliefs.
Julia Galef on "Why "Scout Mindset" is Crucial to Good Judgment"
Imagine for a moment you’re a soldier in the heat of battle — perhaps a Roman foot soldier, medieval archer or Zulu warrior. Regardless of your time and place, some things are probably constant. Your adrenaline is elevated, and your actions stem from your deeply ingrained reflexes, reflexes that are rooted in a need to protect yourself and your side and to defeat the enemy.
Now, try to imagine playing a very different role: the scout.
The scout’s job is not to attack or defend; it’s to understand. The scout is the one going out, mapping the terrain, identifying potential obstacles. Above all, the scout wants to know what’s really out there as accurately as possible. In an actual army, both the soldier and the scout are essential. “scout mindset,” the drive not to make one idea win or another lose, but to see what’s there as honestly and accurately as you can even if it’s not pretty, convenient or pleasant...
...Just as soldier mindset is rooted in emotional responses, scout mindset is, too — but it’s simply rooted in different emotions...
...For example, scouts are curious. They’re more likely to say they feel pleasure when they learn new information or solve a puzzle. They’re more likely to feel intrigued when they encounter something that contradicts their expectations...
They’re more likely to say they think it’s virtuous to test their own beliefs, and they’re less likely to say that someone who changes her mind seems weak.
...And, above all, scouts are grounded, which means their self-worth as a person isn’t tied to how right or wrong they are about any particular topic. For example, they can believe that capital punishment works and if studies come out that show it doesn’t, they can say, “Looks like I might be wrong. Doesn’t mean I’m bad or stupid.” This cluster of traits is what researchers have found — and I’ve found anecdotally — predicts good judgment...
...If we really want to improve our judgment as individuals and as societies, what we need most is not more instruction in logic, rhetoric, probability or economics, even though those things are all valuable.
What we most need to use those principles well is scout mindset. We need to change the way we feel — to learn how to feel proud instead of ashamed when we notice we might have been wrong about something, or to learn how to feel intrigued instead of defensive when we encounter some information that contradicts our beliefs. So the question you need to consider is: What do you most yearn for — to defend your own beliefs or to see the world as clearly as you possibly can?
I’m trying to establish a new routine for 2017 where I get up for a morning run before work while listening to inspirational or enlightening material like the TED Radio Hour. I actually started this routine in 2016 but sort of fell out of practice over the last few months. So in this article, I wanted to expand on one the podcasts I listened to recently.
The TED podcast I listened to was called “Democracy on Trial” with a collection of speakers asking if democracy is truly our best option. The podcast can be found here:
One of the enlightening voices I heard was Julia Galef, writer and co-founder of the Center for Applied Rationality. She spoke about motivated reasoning which she dubbed the “soldier mindset”; that place we find ourselves when we pick a side on an issue and are highly motivated to find fault with those that disagree, and give little examination to anything that supports our point of view.
She also presents an alternative: the “scout mindset”. She defines it as “trying to get an accurate picture of reality, even when that’s unpleasant or inconvenient.”
I heard this and was immediately taken with how applicable this idea is in the current political and social climate. Yes, a classless buffoon is about to take the seat of the highest political office in our nation. It’s not the first time and it certainly won’t be the last. And, the soldier mindset is driving us to pick sides and prepare for war.
However, this is the time that we all need to come together as scouts; listening to each other and hearing, really hearing, what the other person has to say. That also means you’re also going to actually have to talk to those that disagree with you. And you’ll have to listen, respectfully, graciously. I think you’ll find that even though you will never agree with that other person, you will come to a better understanding of their position. I also think you’ll find they aren’t as unreasonable as you expect them to be. This could be one of the hardest things we have to do, but to work through this, it will be absolutely essential.
I think one of the reasons that man, Mr. Trump, got elected, is that many people, reasonable people, were tired of the big cities and liberal politicians making decisions for them. And that’s what Clinton represented: liberal big city thinking and more of the same politics. It wasn’t that they particularly liked Trump, it was that the alternative was so much worse.
Love your neighbor, a value that crosses all human constructed divisions, both religious and secular, is the key to a scout mindset. That person sitting across from you spouting hateful rhetoric is a person that needs love just like you. Put the sword and shield down, open yourself up, and start scouting. I’m not naive, I know that some people like to be angry and get off on the powerful feeling of hating others and will see you as weak. However, your openness may just get them to drop their weapons, and they may start scouting too.
