Understanding Types of Biases

Types of Biases

• Hindsight Bias: Creates a perception that past events were predictable.
• Correspondence Bias: Assesses individuals solely by their actions, ignoring external influences. Example: Assuming laziness when a coworker is late, disregarding heavy traffic.
• Confirmation Bias: Involves favoring information that supports existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence.
• Conflict of Interest: Occurs when a person or group has a vested interest in a discussed issue, potentially skewing their perspective. Example: A journalist may downplay a politician's faults due to personal friendship.
• Cultural Bias: Judging issues based on cultural norms, which can lead to misconceptions. Example: A foreign visitor perceives local celebrations as wasteful.
• Self-determination: The concept that individuals can make choices that reflect their preferences.
• Dignity: The innate right of individuals to be valued and respected.
• Free Will: The ability to make choices from various alternatives and to act willfully.
• Transcendence: The capacity to surpass human limitations and reach out beyond oneself.
• Consequence: The result or effect linked to an action or condition, which can be beneficial or harmful.

Philosophy

• Love of Wisdom: Philosophy originates from the Greek words "philos" (love) and "sophia" (wisdom), serving as a pathway to knowledge about life.
• Holistic Perspective: Offers a comprehensive understanding of situations by evaluating beliefs thoroughly, though it requires significant time and effort.
• Philosophical Perspective: A worldview attempting to define life’s nature and the individual's relationship with the universe.
• Partial Thinking and Point of View: Focuses on specific aspects, potentially resulting in quicker decisions but limited understanding and increased bias.

Key Philosophers and Concepts

• Socrates: Highlighted dialogue and questioning in philosophy through the Socratic Method, seeking contradictions in beliefs.
• René Descartes: Known as the Father of Western Philosophy, he asserted "Cogito ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am"), emphasizing doubt as a path to truth.
• David Hume: Noted for asserting that knowledge comes from perceptions and is a product of questioning.
• Aristotle: Contributed to the understanding that all ideas are based on sensory experiences.

Branches of Philosophy

• Metaphysics: Studies the fundamental nature of reality, addressing questions beyond scientific explanation.
• Epistemology: Investigates the nature, sources, and limitations of knowledge.
• Aesthetics: Explores the value and nature of art and aesthetic experiences.

Theories of Truth

• Correspondence Theory: Holds that a statement is true if it corresponds to reality, supported by figures like Plato and St. Augustine.
• Coherence Theory: A statement is considered true if it logically fits within a coherent system of knowledge.

Types of Knowledge

• A Priori: Knowledge that is independent of experience, using logic and reasoning.
• A Posteriori: Knowledge derived from sensory experience and perception.

Major Concepts

• Facts: Statements observed to be real or true, often validated by logical reasoning.
• Objective: Verifiable through empirical evidence, independent of personal feelings.
• Descriptive Claims: Represent aspects of reality that can vary in definition and verification.

This quiz explores different types of biases, focusing specifically on hindsight bias and correspondence bias. Read through scenarios and identify how these biases can manifest in our judgments about past events and people. Gain insights into the cognitive patterns that affect our decision-making and perception.