Alternative Opinions

Unless you have decided to pursue a life of solitude or live in a totalitarian society where only one way of thinking is permitted, you will occasionally interact with people whose views differ from yours. Therefore, it is essential for any mature member of human society to know how to approach people holding opinions with which they disagree. The key to doing so appropriately is striking the delicate balance of being tolerant but not submissive.

Some people are willing to uncritically accept others’ opinions to gain their sympathy, which is not something you should do—unless it is a matter of life and death. An individual’s beliefs are an integral part of their personality, so one should not abandon them simply to appeal to others. Having a distinct viewpoint is one of your primary defining features, and losing it would mean renouncing your individualism.

Yet, perceiving any critique of your opinions as a personal attack and blindly fighting for your beliefs is also not a sign of maturity. Being overly adamant and dogmatic usually indicates having a fixed mindset, which is by no means a desirable trait. In order to develop, it is necessary to be open to alternative perspectives and altering your beliefs, provided you are convinced to do so by strong and logical arguments. In many cases, stubbornly holding on to beliefs that are criticized by others and are contradicted by evidence leads to terrible consequences. For example, disregarding your doctor’s advice and running a marathon because you are convinced of being able to do so can severely endanger your health and potentially cause a serious injury.

When interacting with other people, you should neither be overly submissive nor stubbornly adamant. Instead, it is important to be tolerant and open to alternative ways of thinking without changing yours unless convinced to do so by reasonable and logical arguments.