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We’ve lengthy been instructed how a lot we will be taught from our errors. (This week’s visitor even wrote a book about it!) However what if a mistake is so terrible, not solely can we not be taught from it, we will’t even reside with it. That is the type of mistake Washington Put up columnist Megan McArdle calls an Oedipus lure. In this episode, EconTalk host Russ Roberts welcomes McArdle again to debate this lure, describing some fascinating examples.
Of their dialog about confronting our errors and the problem of affirmation bias, McArdle shares the story of Dr. Walter Freeman a “pioneer” in utilizing lobotomies to deal with psychological sickness. Regardless of overwhelming proof on the contrary, Freeman died satisfied of their efficacy. He even spent the final years of his life monitoring down and corresponding along with his lobotomy sufferers, considering he’d discovered “proof” of his success. How might he have been so incorrect?
Whereas I’m not going to ask if you’ve ever fallen into an Oedipus lure (as in the event you would know!!!), we would love to listen to your reactions to this dialog. Share your responses to the prompts beneath within the feedback, or use them to begin your individual dialog offline. Let’s hold the dialog going.
1- In recounting the story of Freeman, McArdle says, “One of many issues that comes out of a lobotomy is a unique thought about knowledgeable consent.” What does she imply? Have been there “happy prospects?” To what extent ought to we think about Freeman an entrepreneur?
2- McArdle cautions listeners, “…we should always keep in mind that it’s straightforward to go judgment once we have alternate options.” She additionally factors to the persevering with mysterious nature of well being care. (Bear in mind Semmelweis and the midwives!) Whereas all that is true, we would nonetheless wish to think about safeguards to keep away from the Oedipus lure. What may such safeguards appear like? Are they extra internally or externally oriented?
3- Roberts adjustments course to think about the Oedipus lure because it pertains to politicians. How usually have politicians (or maybe navy leaders) made choices that in the event that they reconsidered they may not love with? Did Truman ever (publicly) remorse dropping the atomic bomb, for instance? Maybe in lots of comparable instances, the foregone various is equally unthinkable. Nonetheless. are you able to reply Roberts’ problem and consider a significant such occasion that was later- once more publicly- regretted?
4-McArdle says that avoiding or getting out of the Oedipus lure is difficult as a result of the individuals who can resist that pull and see the factor that’s true, even when it will be socially expensive for them and psychologically expensive for all the individuals round them, have a tendency not to be nice individuals. Why do you assume that is? Roberts wonders about different dissenters, troublemakers, and contrarians- all pejorative phrases. To what extent do those that shatter the established order are usually outsiders?
5- What’s incorrect with “Following the Science,” based on McArdle and Roberts? To what extent do you agree that the upper the stakes, the much less probably persons are to comply with the consensus? Clarify.
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