
If only we would all just use our rational, scientific minds. Then we could get past our disagreements. It’s a nice thought. Unfortunately, it’s wrong.
Yale behavioral economist Dan Kahan has spent the last decade studying whether the use of reason aggravates or reduces partisan beliefs. His research shows that aggravation easily wins. The more we use our faculties for scientific thought, the more likely we are to take a strong position that aligns with our political group. That goes for liberals as well as conservatives.
Rather than use our best thinking to reach the truth, we use it to find ways to agree with others in our communities.












