Many people would rather feel right than be right. They don't form opinions, policies, and philosophies primarily based on facts, but on feelings.

Feels great to say you're vegan, but factually, you're malnourished.

Feels great to say "illegal immigrants are people too," though factually, they're dragging down the quality of life in our society.

Feels great to say "we need a more tolerant legal system," but factually, the more crime you tolerate, the more there will be.

Virtue signaling is an attempt to demonstrate moral superiority based solely on how one feels about certain beliefs, even though those beliefs are not factually correct or productive.

Living a virtuous life is far different from merely signaling a virtuous one, just as proof-of-work is far different from proof-of-stake.

It takes a certain level of intelligence and awareness to discern the difference.