The Human Brain: Efficiency Through Logic and Falsehoods

It's a common belief that the human brain is designed for efficiency, leading to occasional logical fallacies. However, this perspective is flawed. The brain, in reality, is selected for its ability to help us survive, specifically by running away from predators like lions.

Natural Selection Shapes our Cognitive Abilities

The human brain's specialization for detecting light and motion outside the skull is a result of natural selection. Those whose brains were adept at avoiding predators survived and reproduced, passing on their genes. Consequently, we have a brain that excels in avoiding life-threatening situations, such as running from lions, but has also developed other cognitive abilities. Yet, being bad at logic isn't enough to eliminate people with logical fallacies, so they persist in the species.

Logic, Survival, and Probability

When it comes to logic, the statement that 'the human brain is not designed for efficiency but instead selected for its ability to survive' is crucial. Survival is more important than logical perfection. For instance, if an argument is fallacious 90% of the time but correct in 50% of life-threatening situations, it will be preferred. Survival probability often trumps logical accuracy.

Common Logical Fallacies and Their Everyday Implications

Many logical fallacies are not inherently flawed for everyday life choices. Consider a man arguing that a TV costs only $10 because he is a former prisoner. While this is an ad hominem fallacy, it logically follows that buying from someone with no criminal history may be statistically better. However, life decisions often rely on probability rather than absolute logical correctness.

Appeal to Authority is another fallacy, yet it often leads to better outcomes. For example, a policeman's advice may be trusted because, on average, it is more professional and considered. Despite being a fallacy, the advice is likely to be better than a layperson's. This principle is known as the Australian Wine Fallacy, where the average quality of Australian wine is better than the average quality of wine produced locally.

The Argument from Repetition is a fallacy if used to prove a point. However, it can indicate strong conviction in the speaker, suggesting that the argument is important. From a receiver's perspective, it can be useful to evaluate the repeated argument's significance rather than dismissing it outright.

Understanding the Fallacy Fallacy

It's a common misconception that someone's argument is wrong simply because it contains a logical fallacy. The fallacy fallacy is the belief that a flawed argument implies the conclusion is wrong. This can lead to dismissing valid points due to their presentation faults. Understanding this concept is crucial for constructive debates and informed decision-making.

Argument from Fallacy is the fallacy of criticizing someone’s argument for being fallacious rather than addressing the content. It's a mistake to dismiss an argument just because it contains a fallacy. This fallacy can be avoided by focusing on the substance of the argument rather than its form.

Conclusion

The human brain's primary design is for survival, which often leads to the use of logical shortcuts and even fallacies. These shortcuts may not be logical in an absolute sense but are often better for everyday life. While it's important to recognize and avoid logical fallacies, understanding why they occur can lead to more effective and informed decision-making.