Self-deception

[ciphergoth]

Is self-deception always bad? Are there any beliefs so dear to you that, in a world where they weren't true, you would prefer to go on believing them?

Update: very interesting answers so far, I hope I get to hear from lots more of you!

Comments

[meico.livejournal.com]

Self-deception is always bad! Always I say!! Dammit!!!*

*Even if this isn't true I prefer to treat it as true for myself as it keeps me honest to myself and others...

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

...And the irony in the above is on purpose, right? :-)

[meico.livejournal.com]

Kinda like how I believe people should be intolerant of intolerance... ;P

[fizzyboot.livejournal.com]

Sometimes. And they should also be tolerant of tolerance towards intolerance (http://lesswrong.com/lw/42/tolerate_tolerance/).