Question

List the various ways of avoiding the errors mentioned in the passage.

Answer 1

The various ways of avoiding error mentioned in the passage are:

1. Observation: make the observation yourself. Thinking that you know when in fact you don't is a fatal mistake.
2. If an opinion contrary to your own makes you angry, that is a sign that you are subconsciously aware of having no good reason for thinking as you do. Whenever you find yourself getting. angry about a difference of opinion, be on your guard; you will probably find, on examination, that your belief is going beyond what the evidence warrants.
3. Traveling is a good way of ridding oneself of certain kinds of dogmatism by becoming aware of opinions held in social circles different from one's own. It is also very profitable in diminishing the intensity of insular prejudice.
4. Imagine an argument with a person having a different bias. You may grow less dogmatic and cocksure through realizing the possible reasonableness of a hypothetical opponent.
5. Be very wary of opinions that flatter your self-esteem.
6. Other passions (strong emotions) besides self - esteem are common sources of error. We often make mistakes when we are overwhelmed by emotions.
7. Fear is the most common source of error. There are two ways of avoiding fear: one is by persuading ourselves that we are immune from disaster, and the other is by the practice of sheer courage. Poltroons are more prone to cruelty and superstition than brave men.