Hostage belief: when and why should change his mind

Where is the truth?

Can the two sides in the dispute to be right? Can both sides be wrong? And why do we fended off anything that contradicts our beliefs?

To learn how to determine what is true and what is not, you need to first recognize two important things:

• I do not know anything.
• All the others also do not know anything.

All that we know, and all that we learn, is usually based on previous knowledge. For example, in the study of mathematics, we take for granted that 1 + 1 = 2. This is logical.

But in other sciences - geography, physics, biology - we take the facts of all received knowledge, not realizing that they actually do not always correspond to reality. Sometimes they are true only partially and sometimes completely wrong. After all, before people thought the Earth was flat. Of course, now we can easily look back on those dark times and laugh. But what if some of today's universal truths is also wrong?

Imagine that someone tells you something contrary to your current understanding of the world. For example, that gravity - is an illusion. You certainly will concern skeptical and try to find something that confirms your right, to return to the usual picture of the world.

This is a very dangerous way of thinking. American entrepreneur Elon Musk offers a different approach - based on the basic principles, that is, to solve the problem based only on the fundamental propositions and to doubt everything.

People usually think, constantly looking back on tradition or previous experience. They say, "So have always done, so we do that," or "So nobody does nothing and try." But this is nonsense.

Elon Musk, the entrepreneur

Musk believes that need to build their arguments from the ground up - from "basic principles", as they say in Physics: "Take the very basics and work backwards from there, and then see your conclusion or working not. And it ultimately may differ or may not be different from what you did before. "

For most of us, this approach seems impractical. We have come to rely on the expert knowledge and advice, and those who trust. We simply do not have time every time by the start of the basic principles. However, if you do not forget about this approach, you can see your own blind spots and avoid mistakes.

How to learn to change their beliefs

Al Pittampali (Al Pittampalli) in his book Persuadable: How Great Leaders Change Their Minds to Change the World It makes a strong argument to abandon old beliefs in the light of new circumstances.

Constant checking of their beliefs helps to develop, learn new things and succeed.

Just make it very difficult, because our brain fiercely resistant. We did not want to believe in something wrong, and we do everything possible to save the usual picture of the world. One possible way - to join any group that will help protect our eyes - as true and false.

But those who strive for success, development and happiness, should not be afraid to change your mind when the situation demands. Here's what you need to do.

1. Be open-minded

Widely-minded people strive to get to the truth, whatever it may be. Contrast this with the behavior of the majority: when confronted with information that challenges our views, we immediately waved off from her instead of to move away from the current beliefs and spending power to think. And it usually happens so fast that we did not even have time to understand anything.

2. Doubt in everything

When we read or hear something contrary to our ideas, we usually do not go into details and try to find someone who shares our opinion. This is called the propensity to validate their point of view. It is inherent in everyone. So you need to constantly monitor themselves and exercise a healthy skepticism.

3. Do not think too categorical

Change their views more difficult because our brains tend to think in binary categories. "From meat is cancer!" - "From the use of solid meat!" Or "Carbohydrates - is death!" - "No, wait, fats - that's death!".

In reality, everything is much more complicated. And meat, and fats, and carbohydrates can bring both benefit and harm, depending on the source, on how they are cooked and what we do eat. Stop using the approach of "all or nothing".

4. Check your beliefs

When we are confronted with contradictory information in conversation, film, paper - rejection reaction occurs automatically. We do not even have time to think about why reject something. That is why it is important from time to time to think about their views and to check whether they are not wrong.

Try not to limit yourself to rigid frameworks beliefs of the group to which you belong.

Think like a scientist: doubt in everything and do check all the hypotheses.

Nothing bad will happen if you change your mind: you'll just learn, adapt, change, grow.