We all pride ourselves on having an open
mind, but when it comes to dogmatic beliefs, our minds close and become
stuck. A dogmatic mind is like a crashed
computer, only the static last image remains on the screen. It is nothing to do with etymology, but I see
a dogmatic mind as a bulldog that never lets go of what it fastens its teeth
into.
So what is so bad having a dogmatic closed
mind, and what is so good about having a non-dogmatic open mind? It is impossible to answer this question
without taking sides. My side is that of
the open mind. Why is this? It is because dogmatism breeds
intolerance. Like ideology, dogmatism
puts blinkers on what its adherents can see, disables their questioning
faculties, and breeds fervor and fanaticism.
Listen to the debates between the political
contenders. The issues involved are
contentious enough to get people angry.
It is easy for feelings to run high when the questions touch people's fundamental beliefs, their fundamental likes and dislikes. It is good that we have politics as a
legislated process, for otherwise there would be fighting in the streets.
So what is good about having an open
mind? First, having an open mind does
not mean that one never comes to any convictions in life. It is perfectly possible to have an open mind
and live a very principled life, without holding one's beliefs
dogmatically. Having an open mind means
being prepared to question even your most central beliefs if there is occasion
to do so. It means being open, when the
time comes, to having your mind changed by an argument better than one's own. It means being able to
think both sides of an issue, both the side you think is true and the side you
think is false. It also means being able
to suspend your beliefs, to play devil's advocate, and to detach
yourself somewhat from your own beliefs, actions and feelings. Only living with an open mind gives us a
chance to grow and change, for change is inevitable, while growth,
unfortunately, is not.
I understand the idea that being dogmatic in one's belief implys a closed mind. I do think the ability to have an open mind and look at all sides leads to inability to reach a conclusion. There are always good points on all sides of an argument. I envy the person who can look at the facts and discard those that are contrary to the basic belief of the individual. It is a strong person who can discard those points that do not support the persons basic conclusion. Without that ability, there would never be conclusions or actions taken. Philosophers can ask questions and not need to reach conclusions, managers and leaders cannot have that luxury.
ReplyDelete