Cognitive Dissonance Theory – What Do You Think?

I think it is pretty clear that we experience this desire to resolve cognitive dissonance. One sees it in science, one sees it in theology, and one sees it in everyday life as Schubert points out. It is interesting that we also experience in music a desire to resolve dissonance of a different type. But the pressure to seek resolution is similar. People also tend to prefer visual experiences that are symmetrical. Consequently, symmetry is a principle of landscape design. The desire for symmetry extends well beyond visual experiences into the would of reason. Why do certain colors seem to go together in pleasing or displeasing ways?

There are interesting questions around these desires. Are these desires cross cultural? Inherent or learned? If learned, can they be unlearned?

At the end of the day, reason is the servant of wisdom, not its master. One needs to know when to suspend our seemingly incessant desire to resolve what can't be resolved and fix what isn't really broken.

Do we behave as we believe or believe as we behave? Clearly both occur. The pricked conscience (or its absence) is evidence that there is an innate pressure to operate according to the former. Many times the later is accompanied by rationalization.

Its not hard to see the folly of others. If only it were as easy for me to see my own!

Well said, Brownsfan.
And intelligence often serves merely as a tool for a higher level of rationalization.

Cognitive dissonance is intrinsic to the psychology of high end audio. Those who deny its profound role often display the behavior most intensely. The major factors are subjectivity of experience, monetary investment, search for self validation, and group dynamics.

When the map inside your head no longer corresponds to the actual territory you traverse, things can and will go awry. The only problem is not seeing yourself as the problem.

All the best,
Nonoise

Nonoise, I'd say they can and USUALLY do, there are people who have learned to live with dissonance .
In my experience they are usually profoundly religious people, not that I propose that as an iron-clad rule.

Pope Francis is an example.