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| Tuesday, March 07, 2006 |
| What becomes of the open-minded? |
Enough with the Atastories - time for some Atathink.
What is open-mindedness? Ata has always considered herself open-minded, although she is aware that some might have cause for dispute on that point. The dictionary definition, of course, is showing receptiveness to the ideas or opinions of others. Ata considers this a workable definition, but one needing more investigation.
Is it a willingness to accept the possibility of being Wrong? If so, does it then follow that one cannot hold an opinion on any given topic without adding the disclaimer that "I might be Wrong" This seems like a very timid way to approach the world. A very many people would find it difficult to trust a doctor who followed every prognosis with "But I might be Wrong." And there are times when people seek - and need - certainty. To second guess your every decision is not necessarily a good survival strategy.
Is it being sure to examine all the evidence before making a decision? Well, maybe so and maybe not. Sometimes when people claim to have examined evidence, what they really mean is that they have looked at it without considering all possible meanings and interpretations. This can happen on both sides of a debate - people have a tendency to prove themselves correct. So it is more interesting, always, when people change their position after examining information than when they find their opinions confirmed. But surely just being willing to look at evidence is more open-minded than refusing to do so. On the other hand, if someone tells me that I can't really understand ectasy or LSD until I've tried it, I wouldn't find myself dabbling in potentially lethal mind-altering substances simply to prove how open-minded I am. Or to investigate the effects of being mind-altered.
Ata has friends that she would call closed-minded. In fact, the friend she has in mind would call herself closed-minded, with no apparent shame. Yet Ata finds her an agreeable and easy to be with person, even though Ata and her friend don't always agree. Ata has other friends that probably most people would call open-minded. And Ata finds them similarly agreeable and easy to be with.
There was a pastor at Ata's church some years ago, who related the story of counselling a young girl who was considering terminating a pregnancy. If you are imagining that Ata's church takes an anti-abortion stance, you are probably correct. Provided you're not picturing pitchforks and torches, that is. Adelaide Baptists don't get that excited over much. This particular pastor was an excellent teacher and student, but admitted his great weakness as a pastor was, well, the pastoral aspects of the role - encouraging and understanding people and their situations.
This pastor related the story to our study group one night, Ata cannot remember why. But the story has stuck with her for many years. As counselling progressed, it became clear why the 15 year old girl was considering abortion - she had become pregnant after being raped by her father.
And this pastor was suddenly struck by the realisation - that whatever she decided to do, she would live with it for the rest of her life. Whether she carried the pregnancy to term or not, whether she kept the baby or gave it up for adoption - the child and whatever decisions she made would be there permanently in her past, an indelible mark of the abuse forced upon her, with the power to alter her perspective of herself and every decision she made from here on out.
Ata thinks that there are two elements to what open-mindedness is: firstly, the ability to hear an opinion, belief, or argument without being compelled to accept it or refute it. And secondly, the ability to hear the people at the heart of an issue, outside of laws and who is right or what is wrong.
Hmm. Yes. Ata likes this definition. Probably because she made it up herself, but let's not go there. |
posted by Ata @ 6:19 pm  |
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| 3 Comments: |
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I think being open minded doesn't mean a mental caveat of 'I might be wrong', but rather feeling you are right, but prepared to accept you may not be.
It is subtle distinction from what you said in the second paragraph, but methinks and important one ;)
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A good distinction, and well put. {bows to Dil}
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I like your final definition very much, ata. And I also agree with Dil's point. You can't go around thinking you might be wrong about everything... everyone has to make their minds up at some point. But I think the danger arises when people make their minds up based on preconceptions and possibly even prejudices without considering something from more angles than just the one lodged in their own minds. And indeed, by considering topics on an individual, personal basis.
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I think being open minded doesn't mean a mental caveat of 'I might be wrong', but rather feeling you are right, but prepared to accept you may not be.
It is subtle distinction from what you said in the second paragraph, but methinks and important one ;)