Are We Really Open-minded?
Do our actions truly reflect how open we are to change?
We think of ourselves as open-minded. We value new ideas, understand different perspectives, and believe we're willing to change our minds when presented with compelling evidence. But how true is this?
When, for instance, was the last time you changed a deeply held belief? Remember that a deeply held belief is not just a preference or opinion, but a conviction that shapes your worldview or identity.
Changing our beliefs is hard. Beliefs give us certainty, stability, and belonging, thus shaping our worldview and identity. However, clinging too tightly to our beliefs can prevent us from seeing new possibilities, learning from varied perspectives, and adapting to a changing world.
True open-mindedness starts with the realization that:
- Beliefs are not facts: Beliefs are interpretations of reality, not reality itself. They are influenced by our experiences, biases, and emotions.
- Change is possible: We have the capacity to change our beliefs when we're open to new information, and willing to challenge our assumptions.
- Open-mindedness is a practice: It requires continuous effort to question our beliefs, seek out diverse perspectives, and be eager to revise our thinking.
What's one deeply held belief you're willing to re-examine today?
Openly,
/rajesh
One thing I've noticed in my personal life, and have seen studies showing this, is that the most effective way to get someone to reconsider their beliefs is simply to surround them with others who don't share those same beliefs. Being in a different mental ecosystem won't necessarily change our minds, but it seems to prevent alternative views from being immediately dismissed.
Thank you for sharing this. It's an important point. While this particular newsletter focused on the internal work of questioning our beliefs, you're highlighting the crucial external condition that makes this work possible: the "mental ecosystem" we're in.
Your idea that our environment can prevent differing views from being immediately dismissed is of great significance. It aligns perfectly with something I touched on in a previous newsletter: "Collaboration > Competition" – that we learn and grow by being genuinely open to the perspectives of others, rather than always competing to win against others' opinions and beliefs.
So we could see true open-mindedness as a two-part practice:
The internal work of questioning our own beliefs... which the newsletter explored.
The external work of seeking out environments and people that expose us to different ways of thinking... which you brought up.
Thank you for adding this vital dimension to the conversation.