The importance of being open and humble

The importance of being  open and humble

Mahendra Gonsalkorale 22.11.2024

In my younger days, one of my most significant weaknesses was not just having a view ( e.g., whether there is or isn't a God, a soul, rebirth, whether Communism/socialism is the best form of governance etc), but once I formed my opinion after due consideration of the "facts", I thought I was right, but more importantly, I also inferred from this that those who had opposing beliefs were wrong. This led to unhealthy (and arrogant views) such as the view that  people who believed in God were plain stupid and ignorant. When I reflect now, I became aware that these attitudes were at least partly due to my respect for some of my close uncles who harboured such views. The consequences of cultural influences in shaping a young mind are often underestimated or unrecognised. This realisation leads to greater understanding and greater tolerance.

I have changed that way of thinking completely. My view is not to believe in absolutes and to accept that human beings are very fallible, impressionable and hugely influenced not just through genes but even more so through culture and upbringing. The perfect “all-knowing” person is a figment of imagination ( “I” think!).

I very much doubt whether a Human being who knows everything exists; many “think” they know! Everything boils down to beliefs, which are either based on the scientific method of observing phenomena, devising hypotheses to explain them, and testing them with rigour, or acceptance based on Religious or other forms of Authority or simply on what they are most comfortable with at the time of belief. Human beings are, by nature, curious, and that innate curiosity has evolutionary origins related to survival.

My stance now is to form an opinion based on what appears to be reliable evidence but to accept that other equally logical views can be held by others, and one must respect them, listen to them, understand them and have empathy, and cultivate the admirable quality of humility. There are limits, of course, e.g., I cannot accept that stoning a wife who has been unfaithful is a reasonable way of dealing with the issue! But on the whole, form your opinion/view, be able to explain it (I don't like to use the word "defend" it) and do your best to understand opinions that are different and for your sake and that of others, do not get emotional and appoint yourself as the saviour set on a mission to convert the whole world to your way of thinking. The benefits? You will be calmer, happier, and an easier person to associate with. You will become a humbler and better Human being. You will be more comfortable dissolving your “self” within a community of minds and contributing to a happier society.

Coming to the oft-heard lament by the older generation, "In my days when the world was so much better", I can show, using all the available data, that the world now is far better than it ever was. Just look at advances in understanding diseases and their prevention and treatment, the number of people with at least one meal a day, simple housing, safe and available water supply, gender equality, human rights, etc- the list is endless. I am not suggesting that the world is now perfect; far from it. If you care to listen to a recording of a radio discussion in the 1950s (or before), even then, they talk of the "good old days"! This is understandable, but there is no reason to laugh at or ridicule them.

Human beings have agency, which leads to Self-image (regardless of whether there is a self or not!). Self-image is of importance to most human beings and when we understand that, we respect that and behave accordingly.  We become better social partners and community members with a healthy respect for different views and diversity. Advances in knowledge and understanding are on a non-stop conveyor belt moving forward, yet they have yet to reach a final destination and are unlikely to do so. It is dynamic.  The world would be so much better if one could associate wisdom with it.

In short, we are all fallible; nobody knows everything, and we all have views, opinions, and beliefs. Knowledge is not "knowing". Although some people believe there is one "Truth" (especially the religious-minded), if you subscribe to that, try to accept the possibility that you may be wrong and be sympathetic to those with a different view. This is our only life, which will one day end with death, something that has occurred a trillion times or more in human history! What matters always is the interval between birth and death. Do things now that matter to us and future generations. Consider what we do now that would contribute to the welfare of those around you in concentric circles (Roper's concept), future generations, and our planet.

Unless, of course, you believe that there is life after death