Question everything - at least once
I believe one of the strongest problems with our society is people do not know how to argue with themselves. They take the easy way out - accepting their current or long-held views and beliefs without looking back. These days I get the feeling everyone feels like a genius. Everyone is an expert about everything, and their opinions cannot be swayed for they have gained some sort of infinite source of knowledge and ultimate truth. People know less than ever, and act like they know more at the same time. Where did this come from?
Researching both sides of an argument is something anyone can and should do, but sadly I feel many completely ignore our natural reasoning as human beings and let our opinions be molded by our own stubbornness, others around us or single people we feel are more intelligent than ourselves.
How many times in history has the general consensus of the people turned out to be incorrect? I hope you can think of at least one example all on your own, it's fairly easy. Let's see....the earth used to be the center of the universe, cigarettes used to increase your lung capacity, and cocaine used to be nothing more than a naturally revitalizing ingredient safe for all purpose consumption.
I cannot stress how important it is to put all of the deepest and dearest beliefs you hold on the table - and pretend they are completely wrong for a little while. You have to believe you are wrong about some things, it's completely illogical to think otherwise given you are an imperfect human and cannot avoid making mistakes. You have to also consider that the things you are wrong about might be the strongest opinions you hold. Some people are so tied into their opinions that even when they have hard evidence thrown in their face to show their error, pride takes over and results in an illogical safekeeping of said opinion.
We are human beings, which is the farthest thing possible from infallible. Why even begin to pretend otherwise?
Researching both sides of an argument is something anyone can and should do, but sadly I feel many completely ignore our natural reasoning as human beings and let our opinions be molded by our own stubbornness, others around us or single people we feel are more intelligent than ourselves.
How many times in history has the general consensus of the people turned out to be incorrect? I hope you can think of at least one example all on your own, it's fairly easy. Let's see....the earth used to be the center of the universe, cigarettes used to increase your lung capacity, and cocaine used to be nothing more than a naturally revitalizing ingredient safe for all purpose consumption.
I cannot stress how important it is to put all of the deepest and dearest beliefs you hold on the table - and pretend they are completely wrong for a little while. You have to believe you are wrong about some things, it's completely illogical to think otherwise given you are an imperfect human and cannot avoid making mistakes. You have to also consider that the things you are wrong about might be the strongest opinions you hold. Some people are so tied into their opinions that even when they have hard evidence thrown in their face to show their error, pride takes over and results in an illogical safekeeping of said opinion.
We are human beings, which is the farthest thing possible from infallible. Why even begin to pretend otherwise?
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