We all want to believe that we are logical, impartial beings who make decisions based on the facts. However, the reality is that we are often swayed by cognitive biases. One of these biases is known as the false compromise fallacy.

This occurs when someone believes that the only way to resolve a conflict is to find a middle ground, even if that means compromising their own beliefs.

What is the false compromise fallacy?

The false compromise fallacy occurs when two people have opposing views and instead of trying to find the truth, they try to find a middle ground. This usually happens because both parties want to avoid conflict.

However, this can lead to problems because, in many cases, there is no such thing as a true middle ground.

For example, imagine that you and your friend are arguing about climate change. Your friend believes that it is a natural phenomenon and there is nothing we can do to stop it. You, on the other hand, believe that human activity is contributing to climate change and we need to take action to mitigate it.

Instead of trying to find the truth, you both agree to compromise and say that climate change is caused by both natural and human factors.

The problem with this is that it doesn’t actually solve the issue. It just creates a false sense of agreement. In reality, you still don’t agree with your friend and they don’t agree with you. This can lead to further conflict down the line because the underlying issue has not been addressed.

The factors behind the false compromise fallacy

So why does the false compromise fallacy happen? There are a few reasons. First, as we mentioned before, it can be a way to avoid conflict. When we feel like we are not being heard or our opinions are not valued, it can be tempting to just agree to disagree. However, this doesn’t actually solve the problem.

Second, we can be swayed by our own biases. If we have a strong opinion on something, we may be more likely to ignore evidence that goes against our beliefs.

Finally, we may simply not have all the information. In the example above, if you and your friend only had limited information about climate change, it would be difficult to find the truth.

How to overcome the false compromise fallacy

The good news is that there are ways to overcome the false compromise fallacy. First, it’s important to be aware of it. Once you know about this cognitive bias, you can start to look out for it in your own life.

Second, try to get all the information before you make a decision. In the example above, you and your friend could have looked at scientific data before coming to a conclusion.

Finally, be willing to change your mind. If new evidence comes to light, don’t be afraid to update your beliefs.

The false compromise fallacy is a cognitive bias that can often lead to conflict and misunderstanding. However, by being aware of it, we can start to overcome it.

When we make decisions, we should try to get all the information before coming to a conclusion. And if new evidence comes to light, we should be willing to change our beliefs. By doing this, we can start to make more informed and logical decisions.