Is open-mindedness really a virtue if truly destructive ideas are spreading in s

1. 61

   Jangaplanetposted 13 years ago

   Is open-mindedness really a virtue if truly destructive ideas are spreading in society?

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2. 0

   Brenda Durhamposted 13 years ago

   In a word, NO.
   Good question, Jangaplanet.

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3. 61

   Curdmanposted 13 years ago

   Truly destructive ideas do not spread because of open-mindedness, but because of stupidity and ignorance. People should always give ideas a chance, no matter how outlandish they may seem.  The benefit of this is that in an educated society, the destructive ideas are weeded out of the discussion and the game changing good ones gain support.
   Unfortunately we do not live in an educated society, and open-mindedness is a virtue that seemingly fewer people are embracing.
   Someone can feel free to post statistics they find on a random website about the fact we have a high literacy rate, or graduate more people from high school or college.  This does not mean they have been taught the skill of critical thinking, and often do not possess the means to sift through information and correctly choose the right answer.
   While information can travel faster than it ever has in the history of the human race, and more people have access to all information, their lack of the above mentioned skill simply makes them ignorant followers who do not think an idea through to conclusion, but simply stop at the benefit to their life today.

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4. 60

   Hound Catposted 13 years ago

   The old saying that "Some things are better off not said" still stands true today.  I guess that applies to how much tolerance should be given for the idea process as well.

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5. 73

   someonewhoknowsposted 13 years ago

   Define - Destructive !
   
   Would things be better if everyone thought the same way? 
   
   If,you live in a repressive society like China or the solviet union open mindedness will land you in jail and maybe worse.
   
   In the unitedstates we call it political correctness.
   
   If, you talk about things those in power and wallstreet is afraid of because of how it might affect their investments and the economy then I suppose it could be destructive .The opposite is also true for those who stand to lose money if they don't sell their shares at the right time.

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   cat on a soapboxposted 13 years ago

   Being open-minded does not mean that one can't have an opinion to express. It simply means that you will give yourself time to evaluate before coming to a decision. I would not hesitate to speak up if I found an idea to be destructive or evil.

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   nightwork4posted 13 years ago

   open-mindedness is what makes the world a great place. if you look at places where one can't speak their mind, you will notice the amount of conflicts that occur there. look at lybia, iraq, sudan and you will see how not having the ability to say what you have to say has caused a lot of turmoil.

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   ForeclosureDJensposted 13 years ago

   i believe it still is... especially nowadays. open-mindedness is becoming more rare albeit but that makes it all the more unique and valued.
   
   it's amazing to me how people can think they are so "progressive" and moving society forward when some people still maintain that slavery, etc. should still be around. i guess you can't win them all, but being aware and at least open to the ideas that another person has is key to making lasting relationships with diverse people. some of my best friends are those who i have had the most heated discussions with. just my thoughts.

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   Wayne Brownposted 13 years ago

   Open-mindedness should only be practiced when you are armed with common sense and good judgement.  You can say that the youth of America is rather open-minded and ready for suggestion as long as it is appealing to them.  That does not mean that what they are offered is good for them or their country, it just means they have no fear of things they have not been taught to be cautious of in our world.  Today's generations are not schooled in socialism and the ill-effects thus they are quite open-minded about the concept and tend to conclude that it is a utopia ideaology.  They do not have the common sense and judgement necessary to see the pitfalls. WB

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