Ideology Trumps Reason

Ideology is like a lens through which one sees the world. One can perceive the world to be whatever one wants it to be. Ideology is a set of beliefs- which might have originally come from seemingly logical reasoning- that is held so firmly that one hardly needs empirical confirmation. Even empirical and historical records showing beyond doubt the seeming fallacy of the ideology, or that opposing arguments have greater validity, don’t deter ideologues. The mind over time gets trained to refute any data or facts that go contrary to the ideology and to accept only those that confirm their beliefs.

Here are a few examples where ideology has trumped reason in the popular ‘intellectual discourse’ of people (without actually giving any evidence for the same. I leave that to individual intellectual curiosity):

1. In the economic domain:

For the believers of free markets with minimal or no government intervention, it wouldn’t matter if data and historical accounts show that free unregulated markets to more bad than good. As long as it makes sense theoretically, free-market proponents will continue to dismiss any evidence that contradicts their beliefs. It is interesting to note here that Adam Smith was far more aware of the limitations of free markets than those who claim to be his modern day followers. Smith was more aware of the social and political context in which economics must function. His theory’s proponents have conveniently forgotten this.

The same goes to the staunch believers of totalitarian communism. Marx’s theory was based on very sound knowledge of the realities that existed then, and on historical account. His theory was undoubtedly very rational. However, many modern day communists are bigoted in their beliefs and continue to reject historical and empiric evidences on incentives, the falling rate of profit, central-planning and other facets that contradict their ideology. That’s very un-Marx like; something even Marx would have deplored.

2. In the religious domain:

Religion is the most obvious case-in-point here. Take Hinduism for example. There is no historical evidence of the occurrence of Ramayana and Mahabharata, or any other Hindu mythological event for that matter. In fact, there is more than enough anthropological substantiation that Hinduism evolved out of the material society of the Aryan settlers, with influences from other civilisations brought about by trade. Hinduism came about as a system to protect the social hegemony and to give reason to observation (quite like most other religions, despite Hinduism being less of a religion and more of a cultural social order).

Christianity too suffers from similar dogmas. Historical account and scientific reason backed up by facts have shaken the very foundation of its beliefs. Yet, it wouldn’t matter to staunch believers of Christianity, for they would continue to see the world through the lenses of the Bible.

The same would apply to Islam and most other religious ideologies.

3. In the socio-political domain:

Anarchism is the political philosophy encompassing theories and attitudes which consider compulsory government unnecessary, harmful, or undesirable. Historical precedence, development-economics and public-economy theories (both backed by practical evidence) have shown time and again that anarchism is an unviable and unrealistic concept. However, this means nothing to modern day anarchists who believe that anarchism is the best socio-political formation that can be achieved.

This list is endless.

Psychological factors cause humans to behave this way, both as individuals and collectively as society. Greater reason and rationality has been dawning upon mankind and over time, I am confident that reason will eventually trump ideology. (‘Eventually’ here is the hypothetical long-run so very often cited by economists. To this, Keynes remarks, “in the long run, we are all dead”.)
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Afterthought: It wasn’t very long ago that there were staunch opposition to inter-racial marriage, the same kind there is that is being seen on homosexual marriages today in the USA.

[Disclaimer: Many would argue that I am merely classifying all belief systems I don’t agree with as such ‘ideologies’, and that my beliefs would constitute an ‘ideology’ in the eyes of others. However, the systems that I believe work are based on reason and not ‘unsubstantiated logic’, and I am always open to new facts that might lead me to alter or change my stances].
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Also Read: How prayer works.

Religion was progressive.

Will Capitalism End?

Wonder why people see ghosts?