"Often we cannot see what's good in someone else's idea (or our own!) till we work on believing it. When an idea goes against current assumptions and beliefs--or if it seems alien, dangerous, or poorly formulated--we often cannot see any merit in it."
What is true? What is not? It can be argued that either of these trivial questions are undoubtedly based on perception. How a person chooses to perceive a theory or ideal greatly influences whether or not they will believe in them. To think of belief as a strategy that can be enacted towards broadening a persons world view could alter the way a person goes about their life. Learning to have an understanding of alien ideals rather than having an egocentric point of view would allow us to find merit, even beauty in what a person believes in. Belief, even if momentary could help with discovering a tolerance for an otherwise unaccepted alien act, crime, or lifestyle choice. Believing leads to an understanding, which leads to tolerance; if we have the patience to conquer the task of opening up our minds and work on reducing a narrow mindset, we have the power to change our lives; the lives of those who surround us; even change the world.
I am wondering about how much choice is available in perception. Can you think of times that people knowingly choose a particular point of view? Can you think of times when they don't really realize there are other pov possible? Does this change things... I mean it is still narrow mindedness... ?
ReplyDeleteI think perception has a lot to do with personal experience and a persons background. I agree with Lacy in her question of are there times when people knowingly choose a specific point of view for whatever reason it happens. Who is to say that that isn't still technically a perception or a point of view ?
ReplyDelete