Why it is rational to believe in some falsehoods

What is it about?

We usually think that holding false beliefs is irrational. But that doesn't take into account the costs of acquiring, possessing, and expressing beliefs. In highly nationalist or religious environments such costs can be high enough to favor false beliefs associated with the community.

Featured Image

Photo by Iñaki del Olmo on Unsplash

Photo by Iñaki del Olmo on Unsplash

Why is it important?

We have an increased political emphasis on trust in expertise in our post-truth times. If we don't attend to the context of rationality, and acknowledge how reasoning processes can also contribute to false beliefs, then statements like "trust the science" risk becoming empty slogans.