still wrong, I'm still right, and we're both angry at each other. What have we
solved? Too often this is the way things go when having a conversation/debate.
One or both of the parties involved will stay completely firm in their
argument, giving no room whatsoever for open-mindedness, and turning a blind
eye to the only way to learn. By rejecting even the idea of being wrong, the stubborn
person has denied logic and reason. In denying the possibility, they have shown
that they are overly prideful.
However, I suppose that's not the entire story. Many people have lessons or
beliefs instilled in them from day one, and it is remarkably difficult to
change such things. Sure, there is some degree of pride in knowledge such as
this, but whether we wish to believe it or not, we believe in these lessons
because we were taught that they were the right things to believe. It's as
simple as that. For example, regardless of your religious affiliation, your
parents or guardians probably taught you what to believe and how to believe in
it. They taught you this from day one, and in doing so blinded you to other religions.
I'm not saying this is bad; without doing this, they would consider themselves
bad parents. According to most belief systems parents are required to teach the
religion and make sure the children follow it, so it would follow that this is
the way to do it. However, this is a prime example of a truth that has been
pounded into memory and tradition, giving no leeway for new information.
Sometimes, this can hurt more than help. So, it's not always entirely the
stubborn person's fault that they are stubborn, but unmoving negotiators still
hold themselves to some level of pride due to their "correct"
beliefs, and you will always be wrong if you differ.
beliefs instilled in them from day one, and it is remarkably difficult to
change such things. Sure, there is some degree of pride in knowledge such as
this, but whether we wish to believe it or not, we believe in these lessons
because we were taught that they were the right things to believe. It's as
simple as that. For example, regardless of your religious affiliation, your
parents or guardians probably taught you what to believe and how to believe in
it. They taught you this from day one, and in doing so blinded you to other religions.
I'm not saying this is bad; without doing this, they would consider themselves
bad parents. According to most belief systems parents are required to teach the
religion and make sure the children follow it, so it would follow that this is
the way to do it. However, this is a prime example of a truth that has been
pounded into memory and tradition, giving no leeway for new information.
Sometimes, this can hurt more than help. So, it's not always entirely the
stubborn person's fault that they are stubborn, but unmoving negotiators still
hold themselves to some level of pride due to their "correct"
beliefs, and you will always be wrong if you differ.
The point I'm trying to achieve is that we should always keep an open mind
to the possibilities. In the end, we can only benefit from guided
open-mindedness in our vast attempt to learn, whether it is learning about the
meaning of life, or simply disproving some faulty math lesson. Now I know that
not everyone will agree with me that open-mindedness isn't always good;
sometimes, they would say, it shows inability to stand firm and hold ground. I
find that this is especially prevalent on matters of religion, when people will
not give the time of day to anyone with differing opinions. But I would ask
such people to answer these questions: Why are you so afraid to question
yourself? Are you so afraid to be wrong that you won't take the chance? After
all, why not shoot for the only two possible outcomes: Prove yourself wrong and
be better educated, or strengthen your own knowledge through proving it to your
debate opponent.
to the possibilities. In the end, we can only benefit from guided
open-mindedness in our vast attempt to learn, whether it is learning about the
meaning of life, or simply disproving some faulty math lesson. Now I know that
not everyone will agree with me that open-mindedness isn't always good;
sometimes, they would say, it shows inability to stand firm and hold ground. I
find that this is especially prevalent on matters of religion, when people will
not give the time of day to anyone with differing opinions. But I would ask
such people to answer these questions: Why are you so afraid to question
yourself? Are you so afraid to be wrong that you won't take the chance? After
all, why not shoot for the only two possible outcomes: Prove yourself wrong and
be better educated, or strengthen your own knowledge through proving it to your
debate opponent.
Well, that having been said:
Nice argument, PJ. I'm in agreement with your logic.
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