Egocentrism
Egocentric thinking can favor personal interests and self-validation over a fair assessment. Questions about evidence, disagreement, and power can help expose those tendencies in ourselves and others.
THE IDEA
Formulating Questions that Target Egocentrism
To examine selfishness and self-validation in your own thinking, ask:
- Do I usually consider the views of those who disagree with me? Do I tend to assume that those who disagree with me are wrong?
- Do I tend to place my needs and desires over the needs and desires of others?
- When I have something personal to gain, does my fairness to others diminish?
- Will I personally gain something for myself in this situation if I ignore or distort some information or viewpoint?
- Am I usually willing to consider that I might be wrong?
- Do I tend to ignore information that would require me to rethink my position?
- Do I tend to assume that I know more than I actually do?
- Do I assert information to be true when I don’t know for sure that it is?
We can also question the motives of others, through questions such as:
- Is this other person considering my rights and needs, or the rights and needs of others?
- Is he using me to serve his selfish interest?
- Is she distorting what I am saying? If so, why? Does she have something to gain by doing so?
- Is he trying to manipulate me?
- Is she honestly trying to understand what I am saying? Is she able to accurately state what I am trying to say?
- Is she willing to admit she might be wrong?
- Is he open to reason? Or is he close-minded?
- Is she refusing to consider relevant information in order to maintain her viewpoint?
- Is he assuming that he knows more than he does?
- Is she asserting something as true that may not be?
Egocentrism and Power
One of the natural motives of the human mind is the desire for power. All of us need some power. If we are powerless, we are unable to satisfy our needs. Without power, we are at the mercy of others. Hence, the acquisition of power is essential for human life. But we can pursue power through either rational or irrational means, and we can use power to serve rational or irrational ends. Power used irrationally is typically justified egocentrically.
When to use it
Self-reflection to identify bias in personal decisions
During team discussions to check for manipulation or hidden self-interest
When analyzing arguments to detect irrational justification of power
In leadership roles to avoid favoritism and maintain fairness
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Managerial Self-Reflection
A manager realizes they have been dismissing constructive criticism from their team. By asking themselves 'Do I tend to assume that those who disagree with me are wrong?' and 'Will I personally gain something for myself if I ignore this viewpoint?', they identify their egocentric bias and decide to actively listen.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
When making a decision, ask yourself: Am I placing my needs above others without justification?
Think of a recent disagreement: Did you consider the other person's perspective fully?
How might your desire for power influence your objectivity in this situation?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- The Art of Asking Essential Questions Based on Critical Thinking Concepts and Socratic Principles (Linda Elder, Richard Paul)