RfRx - Critical Thinking: Inoculating Yourself Against False Beliefs with Rob Palmer

Our brains evolved on the African savannah well enough to allow Homo Sapiens to survive in that harsh, unforgiving environment, and go on to populate the planet. But the thinking organ which developed to prevent our death at the hands of predators and the elements is far from perfect. We are primed to trust the opinions and anecdotes of those in our close circle, and the pronouncements of those in authority. We conclude that something is true based on inadequate personal experience, less-than-perfect memory, faulty logic, and a host of cognitive biases. These tendencies can lead us to believe in things which do not comport with reality, and often lead to bad decisions, and even harm. In this talk, Rob Palmer will discuss these topics from a skeptical perspective, because understanding our innate cognitive failings can help us all think more rationally, better avoid errors, and hopefully live better lives.

0:00:00 - RfRx Opening
00:13:51 - Guest Introduction
0:14:43 - Topic Discussion Begins
1:26:00 - Q&A Session
1:43:33 - Closing thoughts with RfR Executive Director, Gayle Jordan

Rob Palmer is a skeptical activist who works to educate the public about critical thinking by contributing to Wikipedia as part of The Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia project (GSoW), and by writing for Skeptical Inquirer as The Well-Known Skeptic. His column covers contemporary skeptical issues, and he has interviewed conference speakers, podcasters, YouTubers, scientists, activists, and TV personalities as diverse as Cosmos producer/writer Ann Druyan, Thomas Westbrook (Holy Koolaid), Seth Andrews (The Thinking Atheist), and actor/activist John de Lance (Q of Star Trek).

Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director and Helen Greene, RfR SGL & Helpline Agent

Recorded on September 13, 2021

Resources:
- The Skeptics Guide to the Universe: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38485991-the-skeptics-guide-to-the-universe
- The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl Sagan: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17349.The_Demon_Haunted_World
- Palmer’s Logical Fallacy of the Week series: https://tinyurl.com/PalmerFallacies
- The Skeptic Zone, Logical Fallacies 1–20: https://tinyurl.com/logicalzone01
- The Skeptic Zone, Logical Fallacies 21–40: https://tinyurl.com/logicalzone02
- Wikipedia page on cognitive biases: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_bias
- Logically Fallacious site: https://www.logicallyfallacious.com
- Your Logical Fallacy Is site: https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com
- Your Bias Is site: https://yourbias.is
- Skeptical Inquirer online: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive
- Foundation for Critical Thinking: https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766
- That dress isn’t blue or gold because color doesn’t exist: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/that-dress-isnt-blue-or-gold-because-color-doesnt-exist
- RfRx - Belief in Psychics: Why We Believe, and What’s the Harm? with Rob Palmer: https://youtu.be/9GVYk1MGqFI

More about Rob Palmer
- Rob’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TWKSkeptic
- Rob’s Skeptical Inquirer column: https://skepticalinquirer.org/category/the-well-known-skeptic
- Guerrilla Skeptics on Wikipedia (GSoW) Promo: https://youtu.be/C3BuRFswKkg

Atheist Community of Discord: https://discord.com/invite/B28xRKb

The primary focus of Recovering from Religion (RfR) is to offer hope, healing, and support to those struggling with issues of doubt and non-belief. This transitional period is an ongoing process that can result in a range of emotions, as well as a ripple effect of consequences throughout an individual’s life. We are here to help each other through this journey.

Any time you are struggling with religious doubts or fears you can connect with a trained RfR Helpline agent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To chat online go to http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org.
To talk over the phone, dial:
(844) 368-2848 in the US & Canada
+3 4505 2402 in Australia
+20 3856 8791 in the UK
+27 11 043 5323 in South Africa

Peer support is also available through local support groups. These groups offer monthly in-person meetings as a place to express doubts, fears, emotions & concerns about religion you wouldn't normally feel comfortable expressing in a religious community. Find your nearest support group at http://www.meetup.com/pro/recovering-from-religion

If you are in need of professional help, we can offer the Secular Therapy Project to provide options to connect with a professional therapist. All therapists have been thoroughly vetted by our organization and offer only evidence-based and non-religious treatment. Connect with them at http://www.seculartherapy.org

RfR is a non-profit organization reliant upon both its volunteers and donations. Donations can be made at http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/donate

Видео RfRx - Critical Thinking: Inoculating Yourself Against False Beliefs with Rob Palmer канала Recovering from Religion
Atheist, Critical Thinking, Secular, Agnostic, Skeptics, Humanism, Freethinker, LGBT Friendly, Support, Support Group, Non-Believer