Here's how:
* The man's initial assumption: The man believes he can identify his ax based solely on its size and shape. He assumes that all axes are unique and that his is easily distinguishable.
* The evidence: Despite the man's confident deduction, his neighbor points out that many axes are very similar in size and shape. This evidence directly contradicts the man's assumption.
* The man's refusal to acknowledge the evidence: The man stubbornly sticks to his initial belief, ignoring the evidence presented. He even tries to rationalize it by saying he can tell his ax from others by its "peculiar speckled appearance."
This anecdote shows that even when we try to be more orderly and logical, we can still be blinded by our own assumptions and biases. It highlights the importance of being open to new information and critically evaluating our own beliefs, even when they seem intuitively obvious.