We think we are our thinking, and we even take that thinking as utterly “true,” which removes us at least two steps from reality itself.
Richard Rohr
Once upon a time we thought the Earth was the center of the universe. We also thought the Earth was flat.
You’d be forgiven if you thought these ideas entered the annals of discarded beliefs long ago. A quick search on YouTube or Google would disabuse you of that thought.Â
Contemplating the fact that people still believe in debunked ideas can leave one feeling mildly amused, if not disturbed. But there are many persistently false, misleading, even dangerous ideas lurking and waiting to pounce on any receptive mind.
And if you think you’re immune consider the volumes of information you’re receiving and processing each day, much of it unconsciously. In the age of endless news feeds, social media channels, and technology to digitally alter information, it would be hardly radical to suggest that we’re all susceptible to disinformation.
We now live in the brave new world of alternative facts and fake news. And though we’ve always had to contend with disinformation, technology along with the sheer volume and speed of transmission increase the challenges exponentially.
Outdated modes of thinking
That’s why it’s critically important we update our ways of thinking to meet the new challenges we face. It requires us to relate with our own ideas and thinking with healthy doses of skepticism.
The days of clinging to ideas that are resonant with our worldviews simply cannot match up against stark realities.
Social and political unrest.
Climate change.
COVID-19.
These all present existential threats to humanity irrespective of our cherished beliefs. The quote by Fr. Richard Rohr at the beginning of this post is one of my all-time favorites because I’ve found it to be spot on in my life and in my observation of others.
But the next lines are much more devastating:
We really are our own worst enemies, and salvation is primarily from ourselves. It seems humans would sooner die than change or admit that they are mistaken.
The sad truth is that our collective conduct of late has underscored this stinging truth. Not only are we willing to die, we’re seemingly willing to endanger the lives of others in the maintenance of our beliefs and worldviews.
We really are our own worst enemies.
Radical self-skepticism
If we want to save ourselves and each other we must be willing to become radical skeptics, not of others but of our own ways of thinking.
You must be willing to ask yourself one question:
What if I’m wrong about everything?
Ask yourself the question when you think you’ve settled on a position. Ask it when you feel threatened by foreign ideas. Ask it when you’re engaging in contentious arguments.
What if I’m wrong?
You may resist self-skepticism because you believe it gives ground to wrong and dangerous ideas. But you may be surprised to see that challenging your own ideas may actually have the opposite effect. You may find yourself refining and honing your thinking around your beliefs.
Instead of giving ground, you may find yourself becoming a much more effective communicator of your ideas in a way that considers the arguments of the other side.
You’ll fight for positions worth fighting for. You’ll be able to do all this while allowing your opponent to feel heard and respected.
By practicing radical self-skepticism, you may even learn how to disarm their defenses before they knew what hit them.
But, of course, the same thing may also happen to you.
Honestly you are bless for this. Its not easy to come to this reality
No it is not, and I am a constant work in progress. Thank you 🙂
You know… it’s interesting that you should say this, about self-skepticism. Virtually my whole life, I’ve looked at people with views that are the extreme opposite of mine and wondered how we can be so far apart. Then, I’ve questioned whether or not I might be wrong. What I haven’t done is to take it to the next level – to refine and hone my own thinking – to better enable me to convey why I’m not wrong… Instead, I’ve simply written the other person off as disillusioned! The poor soul!! ha ha (that’s a nervous laugh!) I’ve never failed to hear the other person out, because I really enjoy trying to understand where they’re coming from, but I’m quite ineffective in expressing in a way that convinces the other that what they’re clinging to is not exactly correct. I would love to become better able to communicate my ideas, and never considered that really delving into what why/how I believe could bring this ability to fruition. Of course… that would take work and I’m feeling pretty lazy today!
Haha! Yes, lots of work and a lifetime to accomplish…so you can be lazy for a day! Everything I write here (and for most of my posts) is aspirational. I make no claim to being able to do any of this better than any other person…lol. I’m trying to cultivate the intention of being open to the other person and being open to having my mind changed about them, even if I’m not won over by their arguments.
Thank you, Cylon.
Of course, we must each have a slightly different view on most topics because we have had different experiences, parental prejudices, brains, fears, temptations, etc.
Perhaps we can be a little more tolerant of others and consider the wonderful variety of views in this world instead of using differences as recruiting tools for our egos.
Wishing you and yours well..
Agreed. Thank you Zara.