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342 Conversion

mechanisms described in Chapter 9. How does a person arrive at a state of
mind that contains a theory-theory conflict? If there are multiple modes of
resolution, then such a theory also needs to specify the factors that deter-
mine which mode will be chosen on any one occasion. Why was the con-
flict between the wave and particle theories of light resolved by modifying the
relevant background theory, while the conflict between phlogiston and oxy-
gen accounts of combustion was resolved by accepting the contending the-
ory? Why are neo-Lamarckian challenges to Darwinism invariably resolved
in favor of the resident theory? By what processes can a contender theory ever
replace a resident theory?

THE THEORY OF CONVERSION

The theory of conversion proposed in this section explains how a novel belief
can be acquired without interference from an incompatible resident belief.* A
belief system constructed for one domain of experience by routine, monotonic
belief formation mechanisms might be applicable to another, target domain
as well. If the former is incompatible with the person’s resident theory for
the target domain, the latent conflict might go unnoticed due to the lack of
global coherence and the division of the belief base into locally bounded sub-
systems. If the person eventually bisociates the two domains – discovers that
the contender can be applied to the target domain – the latent cognitive con-
flict becomes manifest. The conflict is resolved via competition with respect to
cognitive utility. The higher the utility of a belief or a belief system, the higher
the person’s confidence in it. Conversion – a change in truth value – occurs
when the person’s confidence in the contender has become greater than his
confidence in the resident theory. This point change then propagates through
the person’s belief base. The extent of the revision is massively contingent
on the content and structure of the belief base. Each of these points requires
expansion.

Local Coherence and Latent Conflict
Monotonic belief formation is a routine and ubiquitous cognitive process,
varying in magnitude and importance from reading in the morning news-
paper that there will be rain later in the day to accepting the idea that, for
example, the meaning of life is to realize as much as possible of one’s creative

* This theory is based on Ohlsson (1999a, 2000, 2002, 2009a, 2009b).