I think this might be a case where double-think is useful: let your mind lightly touch on the probable outcomes of various beliefs, then settle heavily on the most useful one. This might be advantageous to society as well as just an individual. To quote Terry Pratchett in Hogfather:
“All right,” said Susan, “I’m not stupid. You’re saying humans need … fantasies to make life bearable.” “NO. HUMANS NEED FANTASY TO BE HUMAN. TO BE THE PLACE WHERE THE FALLING ANGEL MEETS THE RISING APE.” ”Tooth fairies? Hogfathers?” “YES. AS PRACTICE. YOU HAVE TO START OUT LEARNING TO BELIEVE THE LITTLE LIES.” ”So we can believe the big ones?” ″YES. JUSTICE. DUTY. MERCY. THAT SORT OF THING.”
I think this might be a case where double-think is useful: let your mind lightly touch on the probable outcomes of various beliefs, then settle heavily on the most useful one. This might be advantageous to society as well as just an individual. To quote Terry Pratchett in Hogfather: