I agree, but if it's hard-wired, then I guess it's not their fault. The following paragraphs really hit me, that we have to target change a across whole groups: "Our ancestors evolved in small groups, where cooperation and persuasion had at least as much to do with reproductive success as holding accurate factual beliefs about the world. A human being’s very sense of self is intimately tied up with his or her identity group’s status and beliefs. Unsurprisingly, then, people respond automatically and defensively to information that threatens their ideological worldview.".

@Vpatel I think the word "hard-wired" is a trifle too strong in this context. The recovery of stroke victims from their strokes shows that the brain demonstrates plasticity.

@anglophone This is true. But the difficult part for many is to actually realise, in the first place, that their thinking may be faulty. Until then, there is no need for the brain the plasticise towards a new reality. Not just for one individual, but for a group. That's hard!

@Vpatel "But the difficult part for many is to actually realise, in the first place, that their thinking may be faulty." YES!

I do see the potential to see our own arguments as perfects, and others' as flawed, and I'm sure it I'm guilty of it.

But my context was specifically in those who dismiss science, such as evolution.

Given that it reflects the physical laws around us, and can be verified by anyone using the scientific method, cannot be wrong. Therefore my own assertions, against others' alternative motivated reasoning, was valid.

@Vpatel I agree with you up to a point. There are people who think the earth is flat and who believe in the biblical creation story. I don’t bother with them.

But most issues have two sides, and both of the perspectives have something of value—some truth.