Truths - Beliefs - Convictions: October 31st 2013
This event took place On October 31st - and was extremely well received. We are looking at the possibility of holding some sort of repeat during 2014.
The subject: What are the processes which lead person A genuinely to believe something which person B considers to be contrary to logic and insane?
This is a question that lies at the centre of the difficult and antagonistic nature of the climate debate. Neuroscientist Kris De Meyer will address current findings from neuroscience and psychology that provide insight into how people become certain of what they believe.
We will explore questions such as:
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How does it feel like to be right or certain about one’s beliefs?
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How does it feel like to be wrong or uncertain about one’s beliefs?
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How do people see themselves?
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How do people see those they disagree with?
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What are the different ways that people can learn new things, in other words, “get” something?
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Can communication through art succeed where straight science communication fails?
The aim of the afternoon is to explore, through interaction and group discussion with artists and others with an interest in climate change communication, how these insights can help to take the sting out of the climate debate.
Leading the event will be:
Kris De Meyer is a Research Fellow in neuroscience at KCL. Besides his academic work he is co-producer of “Right Between Your Ears”, a documentary about how people believe, how we turn beliefs into certainties and mistake them for the “truth”.
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