causal

Demonization Is Rational When You Have Settled Goals

If your aim is to find the truth you should listen open-mindedly and explore counterfactuals, but if you have already settled an issue and have a policy goal in mind, demonizing your opponent rather than engaging them can be the most rational strategy because it disincentivizes holding the repellent view.

causalpending

Speaker

Paul Bloom

Evidence Quote

if what you're going after is trying to find out the truth then you don't want that style at all but on the other hand if there's some policy you want and you've already settled the issue that may be the most rational strategy to demonize your opponent

Source

16 - The Dark SideMaking Sense with Sam Harris
Created: 6/14/2026, 2:24:40 AM

My Notes

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