There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to accept what is true – Soren Kierkegaard

Søren Aabye Kierkegaard was a Danish theologian, philosopher, poet, social critic, and religious author who is widely considered to be the first existentialist philosopher. 

There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to accept what is true

– Soren Kierkegaard

It is not that hard to fool most people, but people chose to fool themselves more often.

Believing false information is becoming a big problem these days (fake news). Individuals accept misinformation, ideas, or claims without questioning their validity or seeking evidence to support them. It can happen due to various reasons such as lack of critical thinking, gullibility, or manipulation by others. Believing in false information can lead to misguided actions, faulty decisions, and a distorted understanding of reality.

The real problem however is when you are faced with the truth, and you plainly reject it. When individuals deny or reject facts, evidence, or information that contradicts their preconceived notions, biases, or beliefs. It can occur due to cognitive dissonance, emotional attachment to certain ideas, or a desire to maintain a particular worldview. Refusing to accept the truth can lead to willful ignorance, closed-mindedness, and an inability to adapt and grow intellectually.

These days, we are flooded with fake news. Luckily however, there are tons of journalists that work to rectify and contradict these fake information. Choosing to ignore the rectifications of information, is accepting to be fooled twice.

From a business perspective, the trust you put in partners should not be limitless.