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JMJ
Cognitive biases can act like short circuits for our reasoning processes and are normally found in combination with Cognitive dissonance.
For example, if a person holds Pope St. John Paul II (PSJP2) in high regard, they will experience cognitive dissonance when presented with the fact that he kissed a Koran etc.
In order to relieve the dissonance (discomfort) there is a temptation to explain away the inconsistency between the belief that PSJP2 is 'Great' and that kissing the Koran is a sin against the First Commandment.
In the search for an explanation, the person will probably jump at the first cognitive bias that fits the bill.
I have witnessed this first hand. It took close to 20 minutes for the person in question to admit that when presented with a Koran, you do not kiss it. The inner conflict experienced when confronted with these two issues was plain to see as the action (kissing the koran) was inconsistent with the belief held concerning PSJP2.
These biases and beliefs exists within a cultural framework. For Traditional Catholics it is important to understand that the Teachings of the Church are contained in books and Catholic Culture is contained in Catholics.
As such, they may believe something that contradicts Church Teaching (level 2) as well as have developed assumptions that will be inconsistent with Church Teaching.
When a Traditionalist in an argument steps on one of this assumptions (I call them cultural land mines), the 'non-Traditionalist' will explode. The size of the explosion will depend upon how strongly the assumption is held.
A good example is Fr. Greiger who posts on the blog MaryVictrix. His cultural assumption appears to be that the Second Vatican Council is in complete continuity with pre-conciliar Magisterium because the Pope says so. Anyone who contradicts this assumption is automatically called a "crypto-Lefebvrist". He will then silence (ie ban) the person from his blog for this infraction.
During in-person discussions there will most likely be a violent reaction (yelling, screaming etc).
At this point, there is no further progress to be made because the land mine results in irrationality.
I know, I've been on both sides of the land mine. I had one modern Catholic state that he had no problem with evolution of Dogma. I could hardly contain myself (no I didn't yell, but my hands started to shake). Futher, the persons smugness just made it worse.
In the end point, as the Church recovers its ancient and venerable artifacts (eg. Tridentine Mass, Receiving Communion kneeling and on the tongue, Gregorian Chant etc) that express its true values, beliefs and assumptions, the modern Catholics are going to need to go through a triage centre.
Otherwise, the pain they feel may result in them abandoning the Faith.
As Traditional Catholics, we need to be ready to work in triage for the salvation of souls.
Never forget that and never be bitter!
P^3
Prayer
Penance
Patience
For example, if a person holds Pope St. John Paul II (PSJP2) in high regard, they will experience cognitive dissonance when presented with the fact that he kissed a Koran etc.
In order to relieve the dissonance (discomfort) there is a temptation to explain away the inconsistency between the belief that PSJP2 is 'Great' and that kissing the Koran is a sin against the First Commandment.
In the search for an explanation, the person will probably jump at the first cognitive bias that fits the bill.
I have witnessed this first hand. It took close to 20 minutes for the person in question to admit that when presented with a Koran, you do not kiss it. The inner conflict experienced when confronted with these two issues was plain to see as the action (kissing the koran) was inconsistent with the belief held concerning PSJP2.
These biases and beliefs exists within a cultural framework. For Traditional Catholics it is important to understand that the Teachings of the Church are contained in books and Catholic Culture is contained in Catholics.
As such, they may believe something that contradicts Church Teaching (level 2) as well as have developed assumptions that will be inconsistent with Church Teaching.
When a Traditionalist in an argument steps on one of this assumptions (I call them cultural land mines), the 'non-Traditionalist' will explode. The size of the explosion will depend upon how strongly the assumption is held.
A good example is Fr. Greiger who posts on the blog MaryVictrix. His cultural assumption appears to be that the Second Vatican Council is in complete continuity with pre-conciliar Magisterium because the Pope says so. Anyone who contradicts this assumption is automatically called a "crypto-Lefebvrist". He will then silence (ie ban) the person from his blog for this infraction.
During in-person discussions there will most likely be a violent reaction (yelling, screaming etc).
At this point, there is no further progress to be made because the land mine results in irrationality.
I know, I've been on both sides of the land mine. I had one modern Catholic state that he had no problem with evolution of Dogma. I could hardly contain myself (no I didn't yell, but my hands started to shake). Futher, the persons smugness just made it worse.
In the end point, as the Church recovers its ancient and venerable artifacts (eg. Tridentine Mass, Receiving Communion kneeling and on the tongue, Gregorian Chant etc) that express its true values, beliefs and assumptions, the modern Catholics are going to need to go through a triage centre.
Otherwise, the pain they feel may result in them abandoning the Faith.
As Traditional Catholics, we need to be ready to work in triage for the salvation of souls.
Never forget that and never be bitter!
P^3
Prayer
Penance
Patience
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