Question

Which term refers to the tendency to think that a ""bad"" thought is equal to a ""bad"" action?

Answer 1

The term referring to the belief that a "bad" thought is equal to a "bad" action aligns with concepts of cognitive biases and moral reasoning, influenced by ideas like 'bad faith', the bandwagon fallacy, motivated reasoning, and subjective reality's impact on actions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The tendency to think that a "bad" thought is equal to a "bad" action refers to a concept in moral psychology related to cognitive biases and moral reasoning. According to philosophers like Socrates and existentialists like Sartre, people may justify actions by believing a thought or action has some inherent good for themselves, even if it is considered wrong by others. This justification of actions and the potential for self-deception align with the concept of 'bad faith,' where individuals deny their freedom and responsibility for their choices.

This reasoning can be influenced by various cognitive biases, such as the bandwagon fallacy, where individuals might do or believe something just because many others do the same. In addition, motivated reasoning describes the human tendency to accept information that aligns with our beliefs and reject information that does not. The Thomas theorem also underlines the importance of subjective reality and its role in shaping actions and character.

Answer 2

The concept of thought-action fusion describes the tendency to equate 'bad' thoughts with 'bad' actions, which reflects a cognitive distortion relevant in moral psychology. It is related to motivated reasoning and can be influenced by the bandwagon fallacy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term you're referring to that indicates the belief that having a "bad" thought is the same as performing a "bad" action is often encapsulated in the concept of thought-action fusion. This cognitive distortion reflects a tendency to overestimate the relationship between one's thoughts and external events. It is significant in discussions of moral reasoning, psychology, and cognitive biases.

An example of this can be observed in cases where someone may feel practically as guilty for thinking negatively about someone as they would if they actually harmed the person. This type of thinking can contribute to various psychological issues such as excessive guilt or anxiety.

Furthermore, the inclination towards motivated reasoning plays a role in this phenomenon, whereby individuals endorse perspectives they wish to believe while dismissing contradicting evidence. Lastly, the bandwagon fallacy ties into this by influencing individuals to adopt certain behaviors or beliefs, not because they think they are inherently right or wrong, but because they are popular within a group.