Beware the ‘optimism bias’ over assisted suicide

If you have ever done a driver’s awareness course (yes, this is autobiographical), there is a section where the instructor will ask you to grade yourself out of ten as a driver. Most people will select 7-9 as their self-assessment. Which is ironic given the course you are doing.

The instructor might then explain that science tells us there are three biases going on. Firstly, there is the optimism bias: we assume we will be fine and will never be involved in a serious prang or crash. Secondly, the what-about bias: we look back on times where we’ve overtaken on a bend and because it all worked out, we assume it will be fine again. Finally, there is the skill enhancement bias: we think we’re better drivers than we are.

This has stayed with me. It could equally apply to the human condition. By nature, outside of God’s saving love, we find it hard to self-assess accurately. I would argue that most, if not all of us have an optimism bias: we assume we are good people. It is partly why the challenge of Christianity and the gospel is so hard to hear. We don’t like being told 'there is no-one righteous, no not one…. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.' (Romans 3)