Devil's Trap

[ehowton]

Once I've formed an opinion about something, in an attempt to not live in a vacuum of self-importance, I always ask myself, "What if I'm wrong?" Then I argue with myself about both sides. Of course its better to have this actual conversation with someone who has a different opinion - I can't think of everything - but the problem, the real problem

Comments

[michelle1963]

I find being universally close-minded very odd, but equally as odd is the person who is open-minded on many topics, but close-minded on one or two. Like you, I find the latter particularly baffling. What makes some topics open game for lively debate, and others sacrosanct?

Perhaps it is that the debatable topics live primarily in the logic part of the person's mind, but the sacrosanct topics are set in emotional stone, tied to the person's self-identity?

Your self-identity and my self-identity are characterized by our curiosity, our open mindedness; not adherence to a particular idea. However, many tie their self-identity to such things as religious ideas, political party, or even traumas suffered like cancer survivor, or crime victim. When questions are posed on topics tied to self-identity, while you are just debating an interesting subject, the other person feels the ground shaking beneath his feet because you are poking holes in his self-identity

[ehowton]

What makes some topics open game for lively debate, and others sacrosanct?

Beautiful, well-articulated word, and a gorgeous supposition! Of course that's probably it exactly (and a very dentin answer to boot). Which is why of course IT NEVER CROSSED MY MIND. So many failings in my experiences, mostly surrounding emotions. It would appear that you actually can't go through life completely logical after all, so much you miss!

Do you think people who have this emotional tie-in are aware of it? That they understand how it works? How very interesting. I know people like this. And they very occasionally scare me!

Yet these norms are made under the guise of shared values, and a cohesive society, as if questioning and curiosity were a danger to such things.But we're a part of that society! We should be the ones to incrementally modify them as they've been incrementally modified before us. This is what I don't get - why that process is so....slow. Or why its fought against so vehemently. Yes, emotional tie-in, sure. But that can't

[michelle1963]

You can be logical, but you cannot expect that a logic is the driving force behind most behavior

[ehowton]

You can be logical, but you cannot expect that a logic is the driving force behind most behavior.

Actually, I can and I did. Its only recently I've become aware that there are other avenues to the same end. Live and learn. I'm not saying one is right and the other wrong, only that the one I am not familiar with is entirely foreign to me.

"Does this make her close-minded for having them or open minded for having them, yet acknowledging them?"

WOW! An actual test subject! Well, knowing your mother, and her ability to have a rational discussion on hot-button topics on which we sit on opposite sides of the fence, I would have to say open-minded for being aware of them and acknowledging that they modify her behavior where those issues are concerned. Hell, I probably have some to. I just don't know what they are. But I'm always willing to find out!

I wish I could remember which blog it was.I remember. Brilliant man that. And thanks for the reminder. Of course that's why. A whole planet of you and I? WE WOULD EAT OUR YOUNG

[codekitten]

The older I get the more I shake off most self identification labels.

"...or perhaps worse..."

This made my day. :D

[ehowton]

The older I get the more I shake off most self identification labels.

I'm right there with you. And...you know, aging too :/

[codekitten]

ah! here is the post i was trying to come back and comment on for over a month!

[ehowton]

A lot happens in a month.