Rational burnout

An affliction which can ensue when an actor committed to conscientiously and consistently applying reason and the careful assessment of evidence in weighing the merits of claims – especially particular cases where it is important we reach accurate and well-justified conclusions – finds himself or herself fatigued and frustrated (and feeling a certain futility) by continued exposure to advocates and other assorted partisans giving little or no indication of close adherence to rational methods of inquiry and deliberation.

In seeking to resist or to cope with such discouragement and disillusionment (and in an effort to keep oneself ‘fresh’ and enthusiastic) we should temper our expectations with realism about our dealings with people and their deeply-held beliefs, and what can be achieved towards the goal of bringing the conduct of public discussion and debate onto a reasonable footing.

(see also: believers, belief and bias, opinion, belief bias, scientific approach, systematic evidence, Studies – Scientific or Empirical, anecdotal evidence, critical thinking, keys to clear-headed argument, theory (scientific), falsifiability, fallibility, error, erroneous, metacognitive shortfall, correctness, Observer bias, thinking error, Type 1 and Type 2 errors)