ON THE NEED FOR OPENNESS OF MIND

On The Need for Openness of Mind


Making allowance for prejudice and the passions, most of the problems that had bedeviled individuals, societies and civilizations can be reduced ton inadequate or pseudo knowledge. Given what we generally accept to be the paradigm of knowledge, whether there are bodies of knowledge or isolated facts that transcend this general paradigm will always remain a matter of controversy.
However, our lives will be enhanced by the recognition of the limitations of our knowledge and the essential evolutionary nature of the universe. Enlightened skepticism is the best attitude to adopt in our behavior towards ourselves, society, and the natural order of things.
For our knowledge is fragmentary and will continue the same as long as this order of things endures. Probably, for one thing we know or seem to know, there are a thousand other things we are yet to know.
Hence, we must be open-minded towards the universe in general. We must be ready to learn and correct our beliefs in light of further facts. Given this attitude, I have little doubt that our world will be much more peaceful for us all.
On the contrary, ignorance and dogmatism (its first cousin) are worst than the most contagious and fatal plague. Thus, we, who arrogate to ourselves the high place of enlightenment, have a supreme responsibility to make that illumination reach as many people as possible within and outside our immediate environment.
We have a responsibility to understand ourselves and our society. This we will achieve through a rational and critical attitude. There must be constructive criticism if progress and peace are to be possible. But we have to enlighten through persuasion and gentle presentation of facts. We must eschew violence, and never allow pride to hinder us from accepting our mistakes, since we are all alike prone to err.