Do you believe many choose to be close minded where belief systems are concerned?
Some seem to believe that thier way is the only way and aren't open to any other possibilites.
You are indeed correct. I was actually reading a book on Bruce Lee's philosophies a few days ago, and it showed an example of this kind of man. This man was a golfer, and he had some well thought out ideas for the game and for team management. He was a loudmouth, and he was having a discussion with someone else about it. When the other man tried to comment, the loudmouth said, "frankly, I've put in much more thought than you have, so whatever you have to say isn't as wise as what I have to say." The book said that this man was concerned with winning an argument more than with getting to the ultimate truth. That was his belief system. I believe that many people, once they have their beliefs, are more interested in the beliefs themselves than in the truth they're supposed to bring.
I think most of the people who are closed minded, don't realize that they're close minded. Rather, they think they've come to the right conclusions, and everyone else who hasn't is just playing catch-up. But I think the hardest part of being an open minded person is having the ability to admit when you were wrong. It is especially difficult when you've held onto a belief for a long time, and told others about it, to go back on what you said. This is made more difficult because people tend to then view you as wavering, or unstable, in your beliefs if you ever decide to change them. Their is an odd sense of honor bestowed upon people who stay true to their ideals, despite all evidence to the contrary. It's that false honor that is preventing a lot of progress.
The thing is that you can stay steadfast in your beliefs without wavering and allow others to do the same. So this leaves you free to believe what you want and others to believe what they want without judgment.
It can go both ways. I think a lot of that falls on the person approaching a person about a belief. I consider myself to be, for the most part, open minded. I have no problem with my beliefs being questioned or even challenged. Actually, I welcome that because I may have a perception of something that isn't correct and not realize it until something is brought to my attention. However, if someone approaches me and declares my belief as wrong or stupid, my mind closes immediately. Beliefs are personal and should be treated with respect, even if they don't agree with someone else's. This is so evident in the Hubpage questions. Read some of the responses to religious or political questions and you'll completely understand what I mean.
Yes, many people are extremely closed minded about certain things. But some are so opened minded, it makes you wonder if they ever had a belief in the first place. Even an open minded person will defend a belief until something or someone gives them a reason to change.
I find it easy to separate the two. One is willing to listen; one is not.
Yes, normative concepts are very powerful in all societies - customs, religions, cultures, etc. One of the oldest and most well known example of normative-ism is the idea that if a woman is promiscuous she's considered a slut. At the other end of the spectrum, a man who is promiscuous, is considered by many to be a stud and, oftentimes admire by his male friends for being "a lady's man." Today, we're more aware in some countries of these dated concepts, but they will never go away.
Agreed. Some will always be close minded by choice. Almost as if putting their blinders on. Such is life though right?
Yes, there are those who are very close minded where belief systems are concerned. Most people are close minded wither out of an egotistical notion that they are right and the ehings people they trust have taught them are right and as such they refuse to entertain any other ideas. There are others who become close minded out of a deep seeded fear that the things they believe in are actually incorrect and they are living a lie. In either case (fear or ego), people who are close minded are at times difficult to converse with because they are unwilling to set their beliefs to the side and openly discuss ideals with others
So very true. Thank you for sharing your answer.
by Baileybear 7 years ago
How does a person form their belief systems in the first place? Why are people unwilling to change their beliefs when there is good reason their beliefs are false ie "I still believe anyway".Do belief systems rule our lives?
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