Story perspectives

Study Reveals How Bias Shapes Beliefs on Justice

12/11/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Confirmation bias makes people cling to beliefs even when faced with contradictory evidence.
A Stanford experiment showed opposing views on capital punishment led each side to selectively embrace information supporting its stance.
Cognitive scientists Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber argue reason evolved to facilitate cooperation within groups rather than to solve abstract problems.
Their book, "The Enigma of Reason," explores how this cognitive trait has shaped human behavior.

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Story summary

Confirmation bias makes people cling to beliefs even when faced with contradictory evidence.
A Stanford experiment showed opposing views on capital punishment led each side to selectively embrace information supporting its stance.
Cognitive scientists Hugo Mercier and Dan Sperber argue reason evolved to facilitate cooperation within groups rather than to solve abstract problems.
Their book, "The Enigma of Reason," explores how this cognitive trait has shaped human behavior.