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Published May 23, 2019

202: Shane Snow | Cognitive Self-Defense Against Intellectual Dishonesty

Award-winning journalist Shane Snow delves into the world of logical fallacies and intellectual dishonesty, providing valuable insights on cognitive self-defense to enhance honesty and accountability in discourse, alongside host Jordan Harbinger.
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  • Common Examples

    Intellectual dishonesty is prevalent in many forms of discourse, from political debates to personal conversations. and discuss how dodging questions and using technicalities are common tactics that undermine honest communication. Shane explains that intellectual dishonesty often involves half-truths or avoiding direct answers, which can be seen in various settings, including media and family arguments 1.

    It's intellectually honest if you are trying to find the truth. You don't have to be correct. You don't have to use good logic, but if you're trying, you're being honest about it.

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    Jordan adds that recognizing these tactics is crucial for fostering genuine dialogue and understanding 2.

       

    Dodging Techniques

    Dodging techniques are often employed to evade direct questions and shift the focus of a debate. Shane highlights several methods, such as the "Hillareach," where a speaker minimally addresses a question before steering the conversation to their preferred topic 3. Another technique, the "Hannittack," involves attacking the questioner or their allies instead of providing a direct answer 4.

    The Hillareach is where you get asked a question and you kind of say the minimum that you need to in order to get people to feel like you answered the question, but then you just go on to the thing that you really want to talk about.

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    These tactics are not only prevalent in politics but also in everyday interactions, making it essential to recognize and address them for more productive discussions.

       

    Recognizing Dishonesty

    Recognizing intellectual dishonesty in oneself and others is key to promoting honest discourse. Jordan emphasizes the importance of identifying misleading tactics, which are often used deliberately to sway opinions without addressing the core issue 5. Shane notes that slogans and clever phrases can serve as dodges, providing satisfaction without substance 6.

    If you fail to plan, plan to fail. And it's like they don't even know what they learned. They just feel good about having heard that.

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    By understanding these techniques, individuals can better defend against intellectual dishonesty and engage in more meaningful conversations.

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