A 2017 paper by Dan M. Kahan of Yale University explains identity-protective cognition. In his paper, he explores how people's political, cultural, sexual, and social identities have a major influence on their beliefs. Kahan originally termed this phenomenon "identity-protective cognition." Intelligence evolved more as a tool to enhance personal well-being, social status, and group belonging than a means of determining objective truth. He explains that intelligent individuals can reject scientifically accurate data in favor of information that aligns with the beliefs of their cultural, political, or social groups. As a result, we should expect individuals to acquire habits of mind that guide them to form and persist in beliefs that express their membership in and loyalty to a particular identity-defining affinity group. For example, Ketanji Brown Jackson was asked what defines a woman during her hearing to become a Supreme Court justice. She said she could not give the definition as she is not a biologist. A person uninvolved in gender ideology culture can easily describe a woman. Identity-protective cognition goes a long way in explaining how insanely polarizing things get when it comes to health, diet, medication, Covid, and most other current science, politics, and community standards. This post will help explain Kahan's perspectives.

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