Cognitive Contagion
The human mind is both fantastic and flawed. It is capable of deep reason and dangerous delusion. In George Orwell’s 1984, the protagonist Winston Smith lives in a world where truth is not discovered but manufactured by the oppressive regime of Big Brother. The Party controls not just the actions of its citizens, but even their thoughts, convincing them that lies are truth and truth is a lie. In this dystopian society, the very concept of reality becomes fluid, manipulated by ideologies that distort perception and eliminate dissent. Winston’s struggle is a fight to reclaim his ability to think freely and critically in the face of overwhelming cognitive manipulation.
This notion of distorted thinking and manipulated truths is central to Gad Saad’s The Parasitic Mind[1], where he argues that certain ideologies, like postmodernism and radical feminism, act like “mind viruses,” infecting our ability to reason and discern truth. These “mind viruses” thrive in places like universities and media, creating a culture that rejects objective reality in favor of ideological dogma. Other thinkers, such as Eve Poole in Robot Souls[2] and Pragya Agarwal in Sway[3], also delve into the fallibility of human thinking, though from different angles. This article will explore Saad’s critique of irrational ideologies, compare it with Poole’s and Agarwal’s insights, and reflect on how a biblical worldview offers a more holistic remedy—one that not only restores intellectual clarity but also calls for moral and spiritual renewal.
Mind Viruses
Saad’s book is a critique of misguided reasoning patterns he calls “parasitic pathogens of the human mind”[4], which, as he elaborates, are:
Composed of thought patterns, belief systems, attitudes, and mindsets that parasitize one’s ability to think properly and accurately.[5]
According to Saad, when these parasitic pathogens settle into a person’s mental pathways, they seem to lose their ability to exercise sound reason, logic, and science as they navigate the world. Instead, they descend into a confusing space where a determined disregard for reality, common sense, and truth takes over.[6] He labels these parasitic pathogens as “Mind Viruses,” an analogy seemingly borrowed from Richard Dawkins, who tried to establish an analogy between computer viruses and theistic belief systems several years prior.[7]
The particular “Mind Viruses” he focuses on include:
…postmodernism, radical feminism, and social constructivism, all of which largely flourish within one infected ecosystem: the university. While each mind virus constitutes a different strain of lunacy, they are all bound by the full rejection of reality and common sense. (postmodernism rejects the existence of objective truths; radical feminism scoffs at the idea of innate biologically-based sex differences; and social constructivism posits that the human mind starts off as an empty slate largely void of biological blueprints).[8]
Saad’s concern is that these ideologies reject objective truth, biology, and reason. If unchecked, they will cause us to lose the battle of ideas and result in our free society being destroyed and enslaved by lunacy.[9]
Flaw or Feature
Along with Saad, other thinkers have examined patterns of human thinking considered to be problematic. Eve Poole examines how our emotional and intuitive faculties, often seen as flawed or extraneous, are actually fundamental to human cognition. Poole suggests that emotions, mistakes, and uncertainty—what she calls “junk code”— are features of humanity, not flaws.[10]
Pragya Agarwal, meanwhile, highlights how unconscious biases shape our choices and decisions, often without our awareness. She concludes that biases are unconscious, shaped by evolution, affecting all life areas. She identifies them as adaptive mechanisms aiding survival.
Although their approaches differ, all three authors point to how our thinking can be clouded, manipulated, and corrupted. They agree that human thinking is vulnerable and shaped by forces beyond reason alone.
While there is some agreement, it is limited and overshadowed by distinct points of divergence. Saad critiques flawed thinking as dangerous; Poole celebrates it as human; Agarwal calls for reform and awareness. All three seek human flourishing, but define it differently.
A Theological Perspective
The Bible affirms both the dignity and fallibility of human thought, made in God’s image, yet distorted by sin. Paul charges the Christians in:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.[11]
Paul alludes to flawed thinking in the world and its real potential to influence our thoughts. However, he also emphasizes that our minds can be renewed. The mind can be shaped and transformed. Paul speaks with a passive imperative voice: “Do not be…but be.” He commands Christians not to allow external influences to shape their thinking in a way that reflects a fallen and broken world, but rather to have their thinking shaped by God.
Saad’s critique and call to resist ideologies that distort reality are both valuable and timely. But human thinking is not fixed by reason alone—it must be redeemed. In a world of confusion and competing narratives, the gospel offers a better one: not just clarity of thought, but renewal of the mind. The Gospel invites us to pursue not just as an idea, but as a person.
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[1] Gad Saad, The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas are Killing Common Sense, (New York: Regnery, 2020).
[2] Eve Poole, Robot Souls: Programming in Humanity, (CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, 2024).
[3] Pragya Agarwal, Sway: Unraveling Unconscious Bias, (London: Bloomsbury Sigma, 2020).
[4] Saad, The Parasitic Mind, 17.
[5] Saad, The Parasitic Mind, 17.
[6] Saad, The Parasitic Mind, 17.
[7] Richard Dawkins, “Virus of the Mind,” 1991, https://www.inf.fu-berlin.de/lehre/pmo/eng/Dawkins-MindViruses.pdf.
[8] Saad, The Parasitic Mind, 18.
[9] Saad, The Parasitic Mind, 22.
[10] Poole, Robot Souls, 74.
[11] Romans 12:2.
About the Author
Chad Warren
A husband, father, pastor, teacher, and student seeking to help others flourish.4 responses to “Cognitive Contagion”
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Chad,
Thanks, I always appreciate your theological lens that is present in the posts you write. I love your summary, “While there is some agreement, it is limited and overshadowed by distinct points of divergence. Saad critiques flawed thinking as dangerous; Poole celebrates it as human; Agarwal calls for reform and awareness. All three seek human flourishing, but define it differently.”
It’s interesting to read Saad and then see what is going on at Harvard as well as other universities right now.
Is there a specific university near you that you see or expect to see some of this parasitic thinking come from?
In my hometown I’m sure some people would identify the College of Wooster.
Hi Chad, Thanks for your blog. I am curious if there is a specific ideological “parasite” that you see invade your congregation and/or community?
Hi Chad, As always, this is an excellent post. I completely echo Jeff’s thoughts and want to express my gratitude for the theological lens you bring to the discussion. Your statement, “[Paul] commands Christians not to allow external influences to shape their thinking in a way that reflects a fallen and broken world, but rather to have their thinking shaped by God,” really resonated with me—I wholeheartedly agree with this.
I do believe culture inevitably influences how we think and even how we worship. My question is: as a shepherd, how do you discern when culture—even when it’s not promoting clearly harmful ideas—is subtly shaping the direction of the local church more than the Holy Spirit?
Hi Chad, Your post had a good synthesis of how different authors interact with current dangerous thinking, according to Saad. Yet, your comment that reason must be redeemed is valuable. It is easy to assign God to the church & prayer boxes and forget that God belongs in every aspect of our lives, including our musings and reason. If you had the opportunity, how might you approach Dr. Saad to discuss this important piece of our thought and reason?