Being deeply knowledgeable on one subject narrows one's focus and increases confidence, but it also blurs dissenting views until they are no longer visible, thereby transforming data collection into bias confirmation and morphing self-deception into self-assurance. Michael Shermer assurancebiasblur share on social
I always accepted the libertarian position of minimum regulation in the sale and use of firearms because I placed guns under the beneficial rubric of minimal restrictions on individuals. Michael Shermer acceptbeneficialfirearm Change image and share on social
Flawed as they may be, science and the secular Enlightenment values expressed in Western democracies are our best hope for survival. Michael Shermer democracyenlightenmentexpress Change image and share on social
Either the soul survives death or it does not, and there is no scientific evidence that it does. Michael Shermer deathevidencescientific Change image and share on social
One of the features of a democracy is the disentanglement of the sacred from the secular because in religiously pluralistic countries, no one can legitimately claim special status by faith membership. Michael Shermer claimcountrydemocracy Change image and share on social
Plato wove historical fact into literary myth. Michael Shermer facthistoricalliterary Change image and share on social
Religious faith depends on a host of social, psychological and emotional factors that have little or nothing to do with probabilities, evidence and logic. Michael Shermer dependemotionalevidence Change image and share on social
The natural inclination in all humans is to posit a force, a spirit, outside of us. That tendency toward superstitious magical thinking is just built into our nature. Michael Shermer buildforcehuman Change image and share on social
You have to know evolution to understand the natural world. And that cannot be a threat to people of faith. There's a serious problem if you are forced by your faith to reject the most well-supported theory in all of science. Michael Shermer evolutionfaithforce share on social
In principle, skeptics are neither closed-minded nor cynical. We are curious but cautious. Michael Shermer cautiousclosecurious Change image and share on social
