Thought of the Day 01.08.09

Somebody recently accused me of being open-minded, and I was totally offended. But, of course, had she accused me of being closed-minded, I would have been equally troubled. Neither term is ideal since both of them embrace what logicians call a false dilemma.

On the one hand, many people have deep convictions, but their attachment comes from a profound ignorance of the alternatives. And convictions which depend upon personal ignorance are almost certainly not convictions worth protecting.

On the other hand, many people know a wide variety of points of view, but they’ve lost the ability to form deep commitments to any particular one. And if awareness only leads to option paralysis, of what use is it?

The real goal is to develop wide awareness while still preserving the ability to be deeply committed to the best things. When awareness is the background to your convictions, it not only helps insure you form the right ones, but it also opens doors of communication to people who don’t yet share them.