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Biases becloud reasoning

Once upon a time, in a small town nestled between rolling hills, there lived a wise old woman named Eliza. She was known far and wide for her exceptional reasoning abilities. People from all around sought her advice on various matters, especially when disputes arose.

One sunny morning, the townspeople gathered in the town square, embroiled in a heated argument. A shiny new statue was to be placed in the center of the square, and they couldn't agree on its design. Half of them wanted a statue of a great explorer who had once passed through their town, while the other half insisted on a statue of a local hero who had saved many lives.

Eliza, hearing about the commotion, decided to mediate. She asked each group to present their arguments. The first group argued passionately about the explorer's global significance and how the statue would draw tourists and prosperity to the town.

The second group, equally passionate, recounted the local hero's deeds and how he had selflessly protected their community. They believed that honoring him would inspire the younger generation to be selfless and heroic.

Eliza, known for her ability to reason, listened carefully. However, instead of choosing a side, she asked both groups to step aside for a moment. She brought a young girl named Lily to the center of the square. Lily had grown up listening to stories about the explorer and the local hero.

Eliza asked Lily to share her thoughts. The girl hesitated but then spoke honestly, "I think we should have a statue that represents both the global and the local. That way, we can be proud of our town's heritage and also inspire others to explore and help their own communities."

The townspeople were taken aback, realizing that their biases had blinded them to a more inclusive and reasonable solution. They agreed to create a statue that honored both the explorer and the local hero, symbolizing unity between their town's past and present.

This story reminds us that human biases can often cloud our reasoning and that seeking diverse perspectives can lead to more balanced and thoughtful decisions.

To help advanced your thinking processes, we have developed an advanced Diploma in Psychology at the Ransford College.

Application is now opened for distance learning 

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