Why Are You So Unsure?

Humans have a natural inclination to seek certainty and control over their lives. Doubt challenges this desire for certainty and introduces a sense of ambiguity and unpredictability Gibson, (2022).

When faced with doubt, individuals may experience discomfort and anxiety due to the inability to confidently predict or control outcomes or to guarantee they will perform well. Doubt can create psychological discomfort that arises when individuals hold conflicting beliefs, ideas, or perceptions. We also strive for consistency and coherence in our thoughts and beliefs; doubt, like an acid, eats at our existing beliefs and highlights inconsistencies, leading to a state of contradiction that we seek to resolve.

This can be particularly unsettling when it involves challenging deeply held beliefs, values, personal identities or hoped-for outcomes. Our attachments to these beliefs and identities provide a sense of stability, meaning, and belonging in our lives. Doubt can often be associated with the fear of making incorrect decisions or choices, and humans tend to avoid errors and strive for accuracy where possible. Doubt also makes us feel vulnerable and interferes with performance and relationships, but it also introduces the potential for making mistakes, leading individuals to experience anxiety and hesitation in decision-making processes.

The History of Doubt

The history of doubt in philosophy is rich and spans different periods and philosophical traditions. It has played a significant role in shaping philosophical inquiry and has been a driving force behind the exploration of knowledge, truth, scepticism, and epistemology (the study of knowledge). Socrates, a prominent figure in ancient philosophy, emphasized the importance of questioning and doubting one's beliefs in the pursuit of wisdom. His method of inquiry, known as the Socratic method, involved engaging in critical dialogue to challenge and examine assumptions, leading to a deeper understanding of issues.

René Descartes in the 17th century brought doubt to the forefront of philosophical inquiry with his method of systematic doubt. In his work Meditations on First Philosophy, Descartes engaged in radical doubt, questioning the reliability of sensory perceptions and even the existence of an external world. He also sought to find a foundation of knowledge that could withstand doubt, eventually arriving at his famous dictum "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am). Doubt remains a central topic and philosophers continue to explore questions related to the nature of knowledge, the criteria for justified belief, and the limits of human understanding. It continues to be an integral part of philosophy and it can help us grapple with the complexities of knowledge, truth, and human understanding, but it can backfire, sometimes dramatically.

Psychological Effects of Doubt

When doubt arises, it can threaten these core aspects of our ‘self’, triggering emotional responses and a strong desire to protect and defend one's beliefs or identity as we can see in many current political debates around the world. While doubt itself is not typically considered a pathology or a disorder, certain psychological disorders and conditions can involve doubt as a prominent feature or as a contributing factor.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is characterized by recurrent intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) aimed at reducing anxiety or preventing perceived harm Gibson, (2022). Doubt is often central to OCD, as individuals experience excessive doubt and uncertainty, leading to the need for repetitive behaviours or mental rituals to alleviate uncertainty temporarily.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD is characterized by persistent and excessive worry and anxiety about various aspects of life, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Doubt can be a significant factor in GAD, as individuals may experience chronic uncertainty, apprehension, and excessive doubts about their abilities, decision-making, and future.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

BDD is a disorder characterized by preoccupation with perceived flaws in physical appearance that are not observable to others or are slight. Individuals with BDD often have excessive doubts and concerns about their appearance, leading to intense distress, self-consciousness, and avoidance of social situations.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Paranoid personality disorder involves a pervasive pattern of distrust and suspicion of others, with a tendency to interpret others' motives as malevolent. While not explicitly related to doubt in the traditional sense, individuals with a paranoid personality disorder often experience excessive doubt and uncertainty about others' intentions, contributing to their suspicious and mistrustful nature.

Anxiety Essential Reads

The Hallmarks of High-Functioning Anxiety

How Long Do Panic Attacks Last?

Specific Phobias

Some specific phobias can also involve doubt, as a contributing factor. For example, individuals with a phobia of flying may experience doubts about the safety of aeroplanes and have excessive worry and uncertainty about flying. This doubt and anxiety can lead to avoidance behaviours and significant distress.

It's important to note that the presence of doubt alone does not indicate psychopathology or disorder.

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Some conditions that I have noted here above have been influenced by doubt. However, in my next post, I will speak directly about paranoia, which is becoming an ever-increasing difficulty.