Discovering an error in thinking is GOOD
Mar. 14th, 2011 10:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jackMost of us have many sweeping errors and assumptions buried in our heads, formed from upbringing or generalisations or assumptions or even something that was correct at the time, that haven't really been subjected to close scrutiny since they were formed. That includes factual errors, assumptions about groups of people, etc, etc.
If you never say "oh, I was wrong about that, even though it's quite important", it's possible that you're just always right, but more likely that you're too stubborn to admit when you're wrong. (The opposite error is to be too flexible, and always agree with new ideas, but never stick to them. However, I think most people I know are quite good at changing their mind when they come to see they have to, but embarrassed to admit they were wrong before.)
Examples of things that I'm completely mortified to remember I used to think would be: "dowsing works", "tories are evil", "being gay isn't bad but not something anyone I know is likely to ever actually do", "I'm boring and will never have any friends." I really wish I'd been perfect from birth, but I have to say, I really, really wasn't, and probably nor is anyone else :)
The point I'm trying to make is that when you realise you've been fundamentally wrong about something, especially something very very fundamental, crack open the champagne! It's much more likely to represent reducing the number of fundamental errors you have, rather than discovering you have more than you think.
(You get double-credit if it's a mistake most people in your immediate/national social group share, and half-credit if it's one they already knew and told you about :))
It's certainly very embarrassing to admit. We'd all like to be perfect. But only be embracing improvement can we be more right, not be criticizing people who admit they were wrong. I know, it seems obvious when put like that, but most people are reluctant to admit non-prevalent beliefs, even in rejecting them, and often for good reason.
If you never say "oh, I was wrong about that, even though it's quite important", it's possible that you're just always right, but more likely that you're too stubborn to admit when you're wrong. (The opposite error is to be too flexible, and always agree with new ideas, but never stick to them. However, I think most people I know are quite good at changing their mind when they come to see they have to, but embarrassed to admit they were wrong before.)
Examples of things that I'm completely mortified to remember I used to think would be: "dowsing works", "tories are evil", "being gay isn't bad but not something anyone I know is likely to ever actually do", "I'm boring and will never have any friends." I really wish I'd been perfect from birth, but I have to say, I really, really wasn't, and probably nor is anyone else :)
The point I'm trying to make is that when you realise you've been fundamentally wrong about something, especially something very very fundamental, crack open the champagne! It's much more likely to represent reducing the number of fundamental errors you have, rather than discovering you have more than you think.
(You get double-credit if it's a mistake most people in your immediate/national social group share, and half-credit if it's one they already knew and told you about :))
It's certainly very embarrassing to admit. We'd all like to be perfect. But only be embracing improvement can we be more right, not be criticizing people who admit they were wrong. I know, it seems obvious when put like that, but most people are reluctant to admit non-prevalent beliefs, even in rejecting them, and often for good reason.