Wishful thinking - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Wishful thinking, a beguiling distortion of rational thought, manifests as the formation of beliefs and the making of decisions based not on evidence or reason, but on what is pleasing to imagine. Are we merely seeing the world as we want it to be, rather than how it truly is, and, perhaps, how _should_ it be?
The concept of wishful thinking, while not explicitly termed as such until later, has roots that arguably extend back to antiquity. Philosophers, navigating questions of epistemology, addressed the inherent challenge of subjectivity and the influence of desires on perceptions of reality. While pinpointing an exact origin is elusive, we see pre-Socratic philosophers grappling with distinguishing appearance from reality, a thread that runs throughout the history of philosophy. Later icons, such as Plato and Aristotle, further delved into this phenomenon. Plato’s theory of Forms, for example, could be seen in the context of separating ideal truth from how humans might wish the world to be. Furthermore, we find related conceptual developments in the works of thinkers Immanuel Kant and David Hume, their rationalism and empiricism, respectively, offer contrasting perspectives on how humans access and interpret reality, shedding light on the potential distortions of wishful thinking.
Over time, what was once philosophical inquiry evolved into areas scrutinized by cognitive science and moral psychology, with "cognitive bias" a key term. The 20th century saw psychology exploring the phenomenon known as "cognitive dissonance," highlighting scenarios where individuals adjust their beliefs to align with their desires or actions. "Thought experiments" like the "trolley problem," or "ethics game," reveal how emotions and wished-for outcomes might overrule rational judgments. This shift reflects a broadening scope in how we understand how wishful thinking influences moral "argumentation." Even the famous "wason test" highlights our difficulty with abstract reasoning and confirmation bias. The allure of utopian visions and dystopian fears became potent cultural narratives, weaving into literature, art, and political ideologies. The "experiment ethics" debate, from "peter singer" to "judith jarvis" exemplifies the real world. The "morality game" and the "moral quiz" make "ethics" a competitive exploration."
Today, wishful thinking continues to shape our world and appears in how we consume news, make financial choices, and engage in political discourse. The rise of social media amplifies this phenomenon, with algorithms often curating content that confirms, rather than challenges, our pre-existing beliefs. It underscores the ongoing tension between "rational thinking" and emotional impulses, prompting us to question how we can cultivate more critical and objective thought. As we navigate increasingly complex, interconnected global systems, the challenge of discerning truth from desire remains a central task for both individual well-being and social and political responsibility and whether our inherent biases steer us away from "fairness" and "justice". Are we destined to see the world not as it is, but as we wish it to be, and what are the implications for our choices and actions?