In Julia Galef's TED talk on the different types of mindsets, her main goal was to demonstrate how holding a different mindset can greatly change the results or views of any given situation. She explains the difference between soldier's and scout's mindset- one being more close-minded and the other more open-minded- using specific examples to illustrate how holding onto a certain mindset or belief can influence a decision.
One thing we've heard a lot about recently is how split our nation is as the left and the right are more hard-headed and rooted on certain stances than ever. Both sides of every argument, debate, or controversy feel they are unheard and misunderstood by the "opposing" side, and though each side tries to prove that they understand what the other side is trying to say, when was the last time people actually took the time to view things from the opposite viewpoint? We do it with simple decisions all the time. We look at what could happen from all angles to truly assess and understand the situation before deciding on the route with the best result. This shows that all people can have or obtain the scout's mindset, it's just more difficult to apply it to harder, more controversial decisions because they often cause stronger emotions. For example, people may feel less inclined to defend their reasoning for choosing one way to solve a basic math problem with multiple ways to solve it than they will to defend their stance on stronger, more pressing topics like gun control, prison reform, and birth control or abortion.
People are raised and influenced to view things from a certain viewpoint, influenced by family, friends, teachers, and social media to see things a certain way, and more often than not, that's the viewpoint a person gets stuck in and feels an automatic impulse to defend. Albeit, more now than ever more sides are seen due to social media; however, the way the Internet is being programmed has begun to simply show people things they want to see. If somebody is for the right to own guns, they're going to be shown things that just strongly support their point of view, forcing them into an even stronger stance on the topic. It's not necessarily a bad thing to have a strong stance on a certain topic; however, it's important that all people start looking at conflicts from all sides before truly making a decision and holding onto their stance.
-Samira Elasmar
I agree, Samira. Often times, debates go nowhere because both sides are unwilling to see from another perspective, and they get stuck in their mindset. It is important to look from another point of view, from that of a different socioeconomic level or race or gender, in order to better understand someone else's reasoning behind their stance. It is not wrong to hold strong views, like you said, but it is ignorant not to learn about the other side and their reasoning, as by doing so, you increase your own knowledge and can better understand your own reasoning. Good arguments require fully awareness and the willingness to explore other perspectives.
ReplyDelete