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| | Evolution syndrome particularly afflicts people who have some educational background without having the intellectual depth of more accomplished peers. They are like minor league baseball players who take steroids to try to get to the major leagues: they think that harping on evolution will gain them credibility they lack based on their intellect. Evolution syndrome can be seen on [[wiki]]s, [[Usenet]] groups, faculty positions below full professorships, and some less selective doctoral programs. | | Evolution syndrome particularly afflicts people who have some educational background without having the intellectual depth of more accomplished peers. They are like minor league baseball players who take steroids to try to get to the major leagues: they think that harping on evolution will gain them credibility they lack based on their intellect. Evolution syndrome can be seen on [[wiki]]s, [[Usenet]] groups, faculty positions below full professorships, and some less selective doctoral programs. |
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| − | There is a high incidence of [[atheism]] among this group and indeed, many if not most atheists suffer from evolution syndrome. Whether atheism is a cause of evolution syndrome or vice-versa is still to be discovered, but the number of [[theistic evolution]]ists suggest that the link is not absolute. | + | There is a high incidence of [[atheism]] among this group, and indeed, many if not most atheists suffer from evolution syndrome. Whether atheism is a cause of evolution syndrome or vice-versa is still to be discovered, but the number of [[theistic evolution]]ists suggests that the link is not absolute. |
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| | Keeping an open mind, not obsessing about one's own views, and avoiding the insistence that others should share in one's view are key to avoiding evolution syndrome. | | Keeping an open mind, not obsessing about one's own views, and avoiding the insistence that others should share in one's view are key to avoiding evolution syndrome. |
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| | [[Cognitive dissonance]] is stress or discomfort caused by simultaneously holding contradictory ideas. | | [[Cognitive dissonance]] is stress or discomfort caused by simultaneously holding contradictory ideas. |
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| − | Below are signs of cognitive dissonance in an evolutionists engaged in a discussion/argument: | + | Below are signs of cognitive dissonance in an evolutionist engaged in a discussion/argument: |
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| | *The evolutionist is unwilling to concede obvious factual points and arguments | | *The evolutionist is unwilling to concede obvious factual points and arguments |
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| | *The evolutionist becomes angry - even when not provoked. | | *The evolutionist becomes angry - even when not provoked. |
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| − | *Rather than focus on the matter at hand, the evolutionists engages in personal attacks and/or seeks to harm the other party. See also: [[Ad hominem]] and [[Suppression of alternatives to evolution]] | + | *Rather than focus on the matter at hand, the evolutionists engage in personal attacks and/or seek to harm the other party. See also: [[Ad hominem]] and [[Suppression of alternatives to evolution]] |
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| | ==== Overcoming cognitive dissonance in an evolutionist who has shut down rational thinking ==== | | ==== Overcoming cognitive dissonance in an evolutionist who has shut down rational thinking ==== |
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| − | Below are techniques to eliminate/overcome cognitive dissonance in an evolutionists you are having a discussion with: | + | Below are techniques to eliminate/overcome cognitive dissonance in an evolutionist you are having a discussion with: |
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| | *Build trust/rapport in the other person through displaying empathy and using humor | | *Build trust/rapport in the other person through displaying empathy and using humor |