97. Egocentrism
Mundane egocentrism may cause people to
overestimate the influence they can have over a certain situation, indirectly
making them powerless to influence it. Or, egocentric cowardice might cause
someone to attempt to escape in the middle of a disaster, saving his own skin,
instead of taking necessary actions which may save
millions of people. In general, egocentrism is one of the most prevalent human
biases, and will affect every decision and action we take. One way of avoiding
such effects, which may not be malicious in any way, is to take what economist
Robin Hanson calls Òthe outside view,Ó that is, the view of a detached and
objective observer. Role-playing such an observer can help people or groups
overcome the Òinside view,Ó which can have biasing effects.