Nice article. It is amazing the extent to which we (man, human beings or whatever is a preferred term), the most intellectual beings on Planet Earth enjoy, tolerate, admire, and protect cognitive dissonance.

I sometimes wonder whether I would be no different if I had not majored in Mathematics as an undergrad, done some postgraduate work at an Ivy League University, and obtained a PhD in an analytical field — Finance — from one of the top universities in America.

Cognitive dissonance seems to be the norm rather than the exception in the world we live in today. What good then is all of our claims to self awareness or intellectual awareness if we end up protecting and celebrating cognitive dissonance? Donald Trump’s response to the Charlottesville debacle for instance, reveals cognitive dissonance.

I believe we have glorified rationality to the detriment of spirituality without realizing the source of our rationality is our spirituality.

By spirituality, I do not refer to religious ceremonies such as church services or prayers at mosques or temples. The amount of segmentation among Christians is evidence of cognitive dissonance induced to some extent by self interest — money, power, control etc. Ditto segmentation among Muslims and within other religions.

By spirituality, I refer first and foremost to belief in purpose to man’s existence and the extent to which belief generates self imposed restraints on our character, behavior, choices, and actions.

Do you see any link between cognitive dissonance and spirituality?