I think the following is a really common example, especially among LWers, and among intelligent perfectionists in particular:
Sometimes when I study a textbook on a technical topic, I skip the exercises even though I should do them. I believe that I believe that I understand enough to skip the exercises, but when I really just believe that I understand, then I do the exercises, because doing them is trivial, or even fun. I’m really anticipating as though I might not understand the topic yet, and if I don’t, then trying to do the exercises will confirm that I don’t. This threatens me because if I don’t understand, then I’ll have to re-read, and the fact that I might have to read something more than once to understand it would reflect poorly on my intelligence, and my intelligence is a great source of self-esteem.
You might even say that there are two instances of belief in belief in that example. The first has to do with understanding the particular material. The second has to do with my innate intelligence. I believe that I believe that I’m genius-level intelligent, only having to read things once, but I’m anticipating as though I’m not genius-level intelligent by avoiding tests that might confirm that I’m not.
I think the following is a really common example, especially among LWers, and among intelligent perfectionists in particular:
Sometimes when I study a textbook on a technical topic, I skip the exercises even though I should do them. I believe that I believe that I understand enough to skip the exercises, but when I really just believe that I understand, then I do the exercises, because doing them is trivial, or even fun. I’m really anticipating as though I might not understand the topic yet, and if I don’t, then trying to do the exercises will confirm that I don’t. This threatens me because if I don’t understand, then I’ll have to re-read, and the fact that I might have to read something more than once to understand it would reflect poorly on my intelligence, and my intelligence is a great source of self-esteem.
You might even say that there are two instances of belief in belief in that example. The first has to do with understanding the particular material. The second has to do with my innate intelligence. I believe that I believe that I’m genius-level intelligent, only having to read things once, but I’m anticipating as though I’m not genius-level intelligent by avoiding tests that might confirm that I’m not.