Are You Guilty of Doublethink? How We All Hold Contradictory Beliefs Without Even Realizing It
The Mental Trick That Lets Us Believe Opposites—And Why It Could Be Holding You Back More Than You Know
I first read about the idea of Doublethink in George Orwell’s dystopia of 1984. The idea stems from fiction, but it isn’t a fictional concept; it’s a psychological phenomenon, visible in our politics, culture, and even in our personal beliefs.
It’s the idea of simultaneously holding two completely contradictory beliefs in your mind, and somehow convincing yourself that both are true. Practically, it sounds almost impossible, but we do it all the time, without even realizing it.
In fact. it appears to be is much more prevalent in our everyday lives than one would think. But how does it work? And what are the implications of living in a world where doublethink isn’t only possible but, in many cases, encouraged?
What Exactly Is Doublethink?
Orwell defined doublethink as “the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.” In 1984, it was a tool of the totalitarian regime, designed to control the thoughts of the masses. Citizens could believe that war is peace, freedom is slavery, and ignorance is strength; all at the same time. The contradictions weren’t merely accepted; they were party slogans, embraced by all as the truth.
On the surface, doublethink seems absurd. After all, how can we believe two opposing ideas at once? But, our minds are more flexible than we might think. Doublethink happens because we compartmentalize. We separate our beliefs into different mental boxes, refusing to let them overlap, which allows us to hold opposing views without the discomfort of cognitive dissonance.
Have you ever found yourself advocating for environmental sustainability while continuing to consume products that harm the environment? Have you ever criticized dishonesty in others while telling small lies yourself? These contradictions aren’t uncommon, they’re a form of doublethink.
Why We Engage in Doublethink
So, why do we do it? Well, it involves some complexity of the human mind, but it is often a survival mechanism. It helps us live through a world full of contradictions and complexities. In many cases, it’s easier to hold two conflicting beliefs than to reconcile them. Let’s consider a few reasons why we engage in doublethink:
Cognitive Dissonance Avoidance: Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort we experience when we hold two conflicting ideas or when our actions don’t align with our beliefs. Doublethink allows us to avoid that discomfort by creating mental separation between conflicting ideas, even if they exist within the same mind. I’ve written about it before, here.
Social and Cultural Pressures: We live in a society that often promotes contradictory ideals. For example, we are told that hard work and dedication lead to success, but we constantly witness countless examples of corruption and shortcuts leading to prosperity. To survive in a world filled with mixed messages, we learn to accept contradictions as part of life.
Political Manipulation: Doublethink is a powerful tool for manipulative politics. Politicians and media often present conflicting narratives that citizens are expected to accept. For instance, governments may promote civil liberties while simultaneously enacting policies that restrict freedom. Doublethink becomes a way of maintaining control over public perception when these contradictions are normalized. You should read about the engineering of consent.
Emotional Comfort: If you think about, doublethink serves as a great coping mechanism. When faced with uncomfortable truths about personal lives, political beliefs, or societal norms, we may choose to hold contradictory ideas to maintain emotional balance. It’s easier to believe that you’re both a good person and one who occasionally bends the rules, rather than confront the moral blacks and whites of your behavior.
Examples of Doublethink
If you think doublethink is just an Orwellian fiction, think again. It’s everywhere, playing out across all facets of life, from politics to culture to our individual thought processes. How prevalent doublethink is in the modern world? Let’s see:
Political Doublethink: Politicians champion democracy and freedom all the time, but simultaneously endorse surveillance programs that infringe on privacy. They advocate for free markets while bailing out failing corporations with taxpayer money. As citizens, we mostly accept these contradictions because we’re told that they are necessary for the greater good, even when the contradictions undermine the very principles we claim to uphold.
Consumer Culture: We live in a world where many of us are deeply concerned about the environment, but we continue to buy products wrapped in plastic, drive gas-guzzling cars, and consume fast fashion. We hold the belief that sustainability is important, but we simultaneously engage in behaviors that contribute to environmental destruction. We justify these actions with thoughts like, “What difference will my choices make?” or “I’ll start being better tomorrow.”
Health and Wellness: Doublethink can directly be seen in our attitudes toward health. We supposedly prioritize fitness, preaching the importance of a healthy lifestyle, but we regularly indulge in habits that contradict that belief; whether it’s stress eating, binge drinking, or leading a sedentary lifestyle. We compartmentalize these behaviors, telling ourselves that they don’t cancel out the positive efforts we make.
Social Media: In the age of social media, we witness people promoting authenticity while curating carefully constructed online personas that reflect anything but. Doublethink makes us believe in the importance of being “real” while simultaneously editing and filtering our lives to fit the ideals we want to project to the world.
The Dangers of Doublethink
While doublethink might seem like a convenient way to live in a complicated world, it has significant personal and societal risks:
Erosion of Critical Thinking: When we regularly engage in doublethink, we weaken our ability to think critically. We are dulling our analytical faculties, making it easier for outside forces like the government, media, and corporation to manipulate us by accepting contradictions without challenging them. Doublethink creates a passive acceptance of illogical policies or harmful behaviors because we stop questioning them.
Moral Compromise: Doublethink allows us to justify behaviors that might otherwise conflict with our moral values. This can lead to a gradual erosion of personal integrity. For example, we excuse dishonest behavior at work by compartmentalizing it as “just part of the job,” even if it conflicts with our personal belief in honesty. Over time, this creates a moral gray zone where almost anything can be justified, even genocides.
Social and Political Manipulation: On a broader scale, doublethink can be used to manipulate public perception. Governments and organizations that promote contradictory policies or ideas can create confusion and compliance in the population. They undermine resistance and dissent, leaving citizens unable to articulate coherent opposition to harmful practices by normalizing contradiction.
Can We Break Free from Doublethink?
Is it possible to break free from doublethink? The answer is both yes and no. While it’s nearly impossible to rid ourselves of all contradictions in thought and behavior, we can become more aware of when and how we engage in doublethink.
Self-awareness and introspection are key. We can begin to identify when we’re holding contradictory ideas and why by questioning our beliefs and actions. Once we recognize doublethink in our lives, we can start the work of reconciling those contradictions, choosing to align our beliefs more closely with our actions or finding ways to oppose the societal norms that encourage us to accept the unacceptable.
We need to actively question the narratives we’re fed, both in our personal lives and in the larger cultural and political sphere. We can reclaim some of the clarity that doublethink obscures by challenging contradictions rather than accepting them.
The Balance of Contradictions
Doublethink is an inescapable part of the human experience. We live in a world full of contradictions, and our minds are wired to cope with these conflicts in ways that allow us to function day-to-day. But while doublethink is inevitable, it’s important to remain on guard. If we allow doublethink to run unchecked, we risk losing our ability to think critically, act with integrity, and oppose the contradictions that undermine progress and justice.
Doublethink is both a mental survival mechanism and a potential danger. The key lies in our awareness; recognizing when we’re holding two contradictory beliefs, and making a conscious choice about which belief truly reflects our values and our vision for the world.
