Our myths are formed by beliefs we hold that have no basis in fact. Its our myths that allows us to have the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought. Thus we accept new information that may be irrational or false as long as it fits our mythology. We reject clear facts and logic if they conflict with our myths. Its how we elect idiots to high public office and how we fall in love. We are irrational beings in an irrational world.
Our myths are also formed by irrational thinking. I hear people extrapolate to the whole from their own narrow experience and the result is an illogical conclusion. When you hear someone reach a conclusion because "everyone I know is.........." or " I don't know anybody who is........." you are hearing illogical thinking. People will accept anecdotal evidence as if it were statistical evidence. An anecdote proves only that instance but when the anecdote is a compelling story it can lead to an unshakable and illogical conclusion. We are irrational beings in an irrational world.
It is possible to think rigorously and critically but if we substitute myth for thought we provide the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.
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