Ellsberg paradox

/ 20 January 2008

Thanks to elearnspace for the link to this brief video, which explains the Ellsberg paradox, which:

"... forms the basis of ambiguity aversion - where we are inclined to ignore or shy away from uncertainty by favoring what is known. We essentially prefer what is known and exhibit this behaviour in making choices"

I can't help wondering to what extent this "ambiguity aversion" ties in with the frequent complaint I hear from pastors that people prefer certainty rather than the complexity of living into biblical narratives, that people prefer "mega churches" and "fundamentalism" rather than other church forms and other interpretive stances. If it's indeed the case that we have an in-built, neurological penchant for certainty, what might make it possible for us to stretch ourselves into a different stance? What kinds of community might lend itself to supporting ambiguity? ambivalence? mystery? paradox?

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