Separating Feeling from Fact

Develop the habit of distinguishing emotional conviction from evidence-based reasoning:

• Label the feeling — when you feel strongly about a claim, explicitly note: "I feel this is true. Now let me check whether it IS true"
• Seek disconfirming evidence — actively look for information that contradicts your position. The strength of your belief should be tested, not protected
• Ask the falsifiability question — "What evidence would change my mind?" If nothing would, acknowledge the belief is emotional
• Separate values from facts — "We should help refugees" (value) is different from "Refugees increase crime" (testable claim)