• Philosophy -> Epistemology and Theory of Knowledge

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What is the relationship between epistemic vices and personal bias?

Everette Barrand

Well, I think the relationship between epistemic vices and personal bias is pretty interesting. Let's start by defining what these two terms mean.

Epistemic vices are habits or tendencies that hinder our ability to acquire knowledge or to evaluate information accurately. Examples may include intellectual laziness, closed-mindedness, or intellectual arrogance.

On the other hand, personal bias refers to our subjective opinions, beliefs, or preferences that we may hold despite evidence to the contrary. Personal biases can also color our perceptions and interpretations of information.

So, what's the relationship? Well, I think epistemic vices can certainly contribute to personal bias. If we are intellectually lazy, we may not bother to gather sufficient evidence or seek out differing perspectives. This can potentially lead to a confirmation bias, where we only engage with information that aligns with our preconceived notions. Similarly, if we are closed-minded, we may be resistant to changing our beliefs even in the face of new information.

At the same time, personal bias can also reinforce epistemic vices. If we have a bias towards a particular viewpoint, we may seek out information that confirms our beliefs and ignore evidence that contradicts them. This can perpetuate intellectual laziness or closed-mindedness.

Overall, I think it's important to be aware of both epistemic vices and personal bias in order to become better critical thinkers and avoid being swayed by flawed thinking or incorrect information. By doing so, we can improve our ability to make informed decisions and engage in productive dialogue with those who hold different opinions.