SoundBits podcast

Certainty vs. Confidence: Exploring the Importance of Belief

Episode Summary

This episode of Soundbites explores the difference between certainty and confidence. The conversation starts with a disagreement about whether certainty or confidence is more important for success. The guest, a doctor, argues that true certainty in the real world is impossible. We can create a sense of certainty within ourselves, but this can be an illusion. However, this illusion of certainty can be empowering if used correctly. The conversation then shifts to how people treat each other. The guest disagrees with the statement "people treat you exactly how they feel about themselves". They argue that it's a complex issue with many factors affecting how people behave. The episode concludes with the idea that posing things as "either/or" questions can be misleading. There's often more nuance to a situation than such a format allows for.

Episode Notes

Episode Notes - Certainty vs. Confidence

Topic: Certainty vs. Confidence: Exploring the Importance of Belief

Guest: Doctor Mort Orman

Key Points:

• True certainty in the real world is impossible.
• We can create a sense of certainty within ourselves, but this can be an illusion.
• A well-crafted illusion of certainty can be empowering and lead to confidence.
• Confidence is more important than absolute certainty for success.
• People's behavior towards you is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, not just their self-esteem.
• "Either/or" questions can be misleading. Look for nuance in situations.

Memorable Quotes:

• "We don't have true certainty in the real world, but we can invent the concept of certainty and live in that concept..."
• "People treat you exactly how they feel about themselves... I think as a general statement, it's likely to be true most of the time, but I don't..."
• "It's a complicated question. I'm sure it makes it too simple. It simplifies something that's a lot more complex..."
• "When you posit it as an either or, you've lost the game right there. Because it's hard, you can't answer the question because it's questions not formulated properly."