Scientific Metabiases

Second-order biases within scientific practice—how scientists think about their own biases, methods, and assumptions. Scientific Metabiases include: believing that method eliminates bias rather than just channeling it; assuming peer review catches everything; treating replication as a cure-all rather than another site of bias; thinking that quantification ensures objectivity; believing that awareness of bias makes you immune. Scientific Metabiases are the blind spots in science's self-understanding—the ways scientists misrecognize their own practice.

Scientific Metabiases "We have peer review, so we're objective!" That's Scientific Metabias—confusing a process with a guarantee. Peer review has its own biases; it doesn't eliminate them. The metabias is thinking institutional procedures make you bias-free, when they just change where the bias lives. Science is human; metabias is forgetting that."

by Dumu The Void March 1, 2026

Evidence Metabiases

Second-order biases about evidence—systematic distortions in how we define, value, and interpret evidence. Evidence Metabiases include: treating some forms of evidence (quantitative) as real and others (qualitative, experiential) as anecdotal; assuming more evidence always means better understanding; believing that evidence speaks for itself; ignoring that evidence is always interpreted; using "evidence-based" as a magic phrase that ends discussion. Evidence Metabiases shape what counts as evidence in the first place—and who gets to decide.

Evidence Metabiases "She says her experience isn't evidence because it's 'just anecdotal.' That's Evidence Metabias—having a definition of evidence that excludes most human knowing. Experience is evidence; it's just not the kind that fits in spreadsheets. The metabias is thinking your evidence hierarchy is natural, not constructed."

by Dumu The Void March 1, 2026

Proof Metabiases

Second-order biases about proof—how we understand what counts as proof, how much proof is enough, and who gets to demand it. Proof Metabiases include: assuming that proof is possible in all domains; treating absence of proof as proof of absence; demanding impossible standards from some while accepting weak proof from others; using "proof" as a weapon rather than a standard; believing that proof settles things forever. Proof Metabiases are about the politics and psychology of proof—not just what proves what, but who gets to prove what to whom.

Proof Metabiases "He demands proof for her experience but accepts flimsy evidence for his views. That's Proof Metabias—applying different standards without noticing. Proof isn't neutral when some have to prove and others just get to assert. The metabias is thinking your proof demands are objective when they're actually strategic."

by Dumu The Void March 1, 2026

Fact Metabiases

Second-order biases about facts—how we understand what facts are, how they're established, and how they function. Fact Metabiases include: treating facts as simple when they're complex; assuming facts are independent of theory; believing facts settle value disputes; using "fact" as a conversation-ender; ignoring that facts are always interpreted; treating factual claims as beyond social negotiation. Fact Metabiases turn facts from tools into idols—objects of worship rather than contributions to inquiry.

Fact Metabiases "It's a fact, so discussion over!" That's Fact Metabias—treating facts as endpoints rather than contributions. Facts inform; they don't replace thinking. The metabias is thinking facts speak for themselves when they always need interpretation. Facts are real; metabias is forgetting what facts are for."

by Dumu The Void March 1, 2026

Epistemology Metabiases

Second-order biases about epistemology itself—systematic distortions in how we study knowledge. Epistemology Metabiases include: assuming Western epistemology is epistemology, not one tradition; treating knowledge as individual rather than social; focusing on propositional knowledge while ignoring procedural, tacit, experiential; believing that epistemological questions are timeless rather than historical; ignoring the role of power in knowledge production. Epistemology Metabiases shape what questions get asked, what counts as an answer, and who gets to be an epistemologist.

Epistemology Metabiases "Your epistemology class only studied Descartes to Kant. That's Epistemology Metabias—treating Western philosophy as the whole story. Epistemology means study of knowledge, not study of European theories of knowledge. The metabias is thinking your tradition is the tradition, not one tradition among many."

by Dumu The Void March 1, 2026

Epistemological Metabiases

Second-order biases in how we think about knowing—meta-level distortions in our understanding of knowledge itself. Epistemological Metabiases include: believing that more reflection always improves knowledge; treating self-awareness as a cure for bias; assuming epistemological sophistication makes you less biased; using epistemology to police rather than to understand; ignoring that epistemologies are themselves situated. Epistemological Metabiases are the biases of the epistemologist—the ways thinking about knowledge can itself be distorted.

Epistemological Metabiases "I've studied epistemology, so I know how to avoid bias!" That's Epistemological Metabias—confusing knowledge about knowledge with freedom from knowing's limits. Studying bias doesn't eliminate it; it just gives you new ways to be biased about bias. The metabias is thinking epistemology makes you special."

by Dumu The Void March 1, 2026

Philosophy Metabiases

Second-order biases about philosophy—systematic distortions in how philosophy is practiced, taught, and valued. Philosophy Metabiases include: canon bias (studying the same dead white men); method bias (privileging analytic over continental); progress bias (assuming philosophy progresses like science); gatekeeping bias (deciding who counts as a philosopher); relevance bias (assuming philosophy must be technical to be serious). Philosophy Metabiases shape the discipline itself—what counts as philosophy, who gets to do it, and what it's for.

Philosophy Metabiases "Real philosophy is analytic philosophy." That's Philosophy Metabias—confusing one tradition with the whole discipline. Philosophy is a vast conversation across traditions, times, and cultures. The metabias is thinking your corner of philosophy is philosophy itself."

by Dumu The Void March 1, 2026