Numerous factors contribute to the acceptability of
ideas. To a very large extent, of course, we associate
truth with convenience - with what most closely accords
with self-interest and individual well-being or promises
best to avoid awkward effort or unwelcome dislocation
of life. We also find highly acceptable what contributes
most to self-esteem. Speakers before the United States
Chamber of Commerce rarely denigrate the business man
as an economic force. Those who appear before the AFL-CIO
are prone to identify social progress with a strong trade
union movement. But perhaps most important of all, people
approve most of what they best understand. As just noted,
economic and social behaviour are complex and mentally
tiring. Therefore we adhere, as though to a raft, to
those ideas which represent our understanding. This is
a prime manifestation of vested interest. For a vested
interest in understanding is more preciously guarded
than any other treasure. It is why men react, not
infrequently with something akin to religious passion,
to the defence of what they have so laboriously learned.
Familiarity may breed contempt in some areas of human
behaviour, but in the field of social ideas it is the
touchstone of acceptability.
J.K. Galbraith, The Conventional Wisdom,
from "The Affluent Society", 1958
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