Challenging Confirmation Bias through the Wisdom of the Twelve Nidanas of Dependent Origination
This article explains how biases manifest themselves in the form of Confirmation Bias in the context of Twelve Nidanas of dependent origination. It elaborates on each step of the twelve links and provides strategies to break the cycle of Confirmation Bias. Cultivating mindfulness, critical thinking, and being open to feedback can help us develop a deeper understanding of a topic and avoid being driven by our biases.
Challenging Confirmation Bias through the Wisdom of the Twelve Nidanas of Dependent Origination
4 min read
This article explores the concept of Confirmation Bias in the context of Twelve Nidanas of dependent origination. It explains how biases perpetuate themselves and what steps can be taken to break the cycle of confirmation bias. By cultivating mindfulness and critical thinking, we can become more open-minded and develop a deeper understanding of a topic.
This article explores the concept of Confirmation Bias in the context of Twelve Nidanas of dependent origination. The Twelve Nidanas provide a framework for understanding how different phenomena arise and perpetuate themselves. In the case of Confirmation Bias, the Twelve Nidanas help explain the process by which we develop and perpetuate our biases.
The first link, Ignorance (Avijja), refers to the lack of understanding of the true nature of reality and the limitations of our own mind, including our susceptibility to biases and preconceptions. This lack of awareness makes us more prone to Confirmation Bias. Mental formations (Sankhara) arise out of this ignorance which shapes our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Due to our ignorance, we develop habitual patterns of seeking out and interpreting information that confirms our existing beliefs and biases.
These mental formations condition our consciousness (Viññana), making us more likely to notice and seek out information that confirms our biases. Our mental and physical constituents (i.e., our minds and bodies) manifest in a way that is susceptible to Confirmation Bias (nama-rupa). Our sense organs (such as sight, hearing, and touch) interact with the external world (Salayatana), providing us with information that can either confirm or contradict our biases (Phassa).
When presented with information that confirms our biases, we experience a positive feeling (Vedana). This feeling leads to craving (Tanha), which makes us desire more information that confirms our biases while avoiding information that challenges them. This attachment to our biases (Upadana) intensifies, perpetuating the cycle of Confirmation Bias. Our clinging to Confirmation Bias reinforces our habitual patterns and karmic tendencies, leading to further development of the biases (Bhava).
Our biases manifest in the form of actions and behaviors that reinforce our beliefs and values while disregarding opposing views or facts (Jati). Unaddressed Confirmation Bias can lead to stagnation, lack of growth, and the perpetuation of ignorance that leads to suffering and negative consequences in future situations (Jara-marana).
To break the cycle of Confirmation Bias, we need to develop awareness of our biases and limitations (Avijja). We can intentionally seek out information that challenges our existing beliefs and biases (Sankhara) and reflect on the ways in which our mental formations shape our perceptions of the world (Viññana). We can become more mindful of our own biases and the biases of others (Nama-rupa) by paying attention to our reactions to stimuli and being mindful of the limitations of our sense organs (Salayatana).
By reflecting on our own emotional reactions to information (Vedana) and practicing non-attachment and non-judgment (Tanha), we can reduce our own desires for Confirmation Bias (Upadana) and instead seek to learn and understand more deeply (Bhava). By intentionally seeking out opposing viewpoints and being willing to revise our own beliefs and opinions (Jati), we can avoid becoming entrenched in our biases and patterns of thought.
Finally, by embracing the impermanence of all phenomena, including our own beliefs and biases (Jara-marana), we can remain open to new information and experiences. This can help us avoid stagnation and continue to learn and grow throughout our lives.
Conclusion
Confirmation Bias is a form of bias that influences our thought process and decision-making. It is perpetuated by the Twelve Nidanas of dependent origination, which explains the process by which our biases arise and perpetuate themselves. By cultivating mindfulness, critical thinking, and being open to feedback, we can reduce the influence of confirmation bias and see things objectively. Understanding the process of Confirmation Bias and the Twelve Nidanas can help us break the cycle of our biases and become more open-minded, adaptable, and effective decision-makers.
