Here's a quick, not very clear worry I am entertaining this morning. We are all prone to confirmation bias, especially when it comes to politics. Of course, I, being a lefty, think that while I am obviously prone too, I am not nearly as prone as most Tories. Still, I need to be vigilant (after all, those Tories think the same about me). So here are two mental habits of mine. How bad are they? FIRST MENTAL HABIT. Whenever I hear of some new Tory economic policy, my first involuntary question is: 'Cui bono?' - who benefits? And in each case my very strong expectation is that, while the policy might be packaged as egalitarian - as helping the less well-off (e.g. to get on the housing ladder) - it will almost always most significantly benefit billionaires and/or big business . And Lo! In almost every case, I am able to show that it does! Examples: (i) tuition fees were packaged as being about 'fairness' (why should a poor postman pay for some Eton
Stephen Law is a philosopher and author. Currently Director of Philosophy and Cert HE at Oxford University Department of Continuing Education. Stephen has also published many popular books including The Philosophy Gym, The Complete Philosophy Files, and Believing Bullshit. For school talks/ media: stephenlaw4schools.blogspot.co.uk Email: think-AT-royalinstitutephilosophy.org