motivated reasoning

Working backwards in logic, disregarding the facts in order to support an erroneous conclusion. Motivated reasoning is in contrast to logical reasoning.

I know you're telling me the fact that Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with 9/11, but my motivated reasoning tells me he did.

We invaded Iraq because of 9/11. What we did in Iraq was right. Saddam Hussein was involved in plotting 9/11.

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