I found a copy of Orwell’s Notes on Nationalism in a Hampstead bookshop. His essays, presented so simply that even I can follow, allow their simplicity to mask a deep-plumming exploration of their topic.
When he talks about nationalism Orwell is not referring to the political ideology revolving around a nation’s interests. Orwell uses nationalism, for want of a better word, for any identification with a group, be it a nation, religion, movement or football team. The essay then explores how this identification causes blindness or intentional ignorance to fault or rationality.
It reminded me of Paul Graham’s “Keep your identity small”. Graham shares a comparable concern. Identity examples include “I am an atheist” or “I am a conservative” or any similar statement. If you identify yourself in such a way, it is more difficult to accept data-points which challenge that view because it has become personal. Instead you ignore contrary evidence.
None of this is to say that you shouldn’t be part of something, or stand for something. Just, it’s easy to lie to yourself to prop up your own identifying beliefs. We would rather hide evidence from ourselves than accept that any of our founding, defining beliefs are under challenge.
You must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool. (Richard Feynman)
Charlie Munger’s cure for this is to never allow yourself to hold any belief without knowing the counter points better than the people who hold that point of view. Even better, start with those counter points in any discussion. It is a fantastic remedy for the ego. Detach from identifying beliefs. Focus on what is right, not who is right.