As an agnostic, I feel that I've gotten good at changing my mind on intellectual matters. Of course, I know that everyone has the ability to change their mind, but where I think agnostics would excel is in their willingness to do it, and in the matters (polarizing matters, religion, politics, philosophy, etc) that they're willing to do it. The obvious benefit here would enable someone to be good at getting to the truth and/or accepting it. In contrast, being unwilling to give up false beliefs will hold you back from the truth.
I'll keep it short and simple. Here are two things that have helped me change my mind on things when I need to:
1. Be open-minded. It's one thing to say you're open-minded, or to have it just involve you listening to the other side, but are you really open to being convinced? The reason why I bring agnosticism into the picture is because Thomas Huxley advocated for it. Here's one of the places where he does a good job illustrating open-mindedness:
Source: Huxley, Thomas. "Agnosticism." Collected Essays V (1889). I'm sure it can be found online for free.
2. Not committing to anything unproven (another standard Huxley advocated for). I don't believe this is humanly possible nor practical as it would involve shunning all beliefs. But I do believe you can get close to that standard by not fully committing (i presume you're bound to have some acceptance on unproven things) to any unproven side or matter. And to have reinforce that further, be willing to question everything, including your own side.
I figured, if you don't have much beliefs to begin with, or don't commit to them in any strong way, then the less you'll have to change your mind on. And not holding on to them strongly, will make it easier to give them up.
Feel free to share any thoughts or experiences on this topic.
I'll keep it short and simple. Here are two things that have helped me change my mind on things when I need to:
1. Be open-minded. It's one thing to say you're open-minded, or to have it just involve you listening to the other side, but are you really open to being convinced? The reason why I bring agnosticism into the picture is because Thomas Huxley advocated for it. Here's one of the places where he does a good job illustrating open-mindedness:
[emphasis added]The results of the working out of the agnostic principle will vary according to individual knowledge and capacity, and according to the general condition of science...
...
And the only obligation accepted is to have the mind always open to conviction.
...
But, if you were to meet with such a phœnix and to tell him that you had discovered that two and two make five, he would patiently ask you to state your reasons for that conviction, and express his readiness to [247] agree with you if he found them satisfactory.
Source: Huxley, Thomas. "Agnosticism." Collected Essays V (1889). I'm sure it can be found online for free.
2. Not committing to anything unproven (another standard Huxley advocated for). I don't believe this is humanly possible nor practical as it would involve shunning all beliefs. But I do believe you can get close to that standard by not fully committing (i presume you're bound to have some acceptance on unproven things) to any unproven side or matter. And to have reinforce that further, be willing to question everything, including your own side.
I figured, if you don't have much beliefs to begin with, or don't commit to them in any strong way, then the less you'll have to change your mind on. And not holding on to them strongly, will make it easier to give them up.
Feel free to share any thoughts or experiences on this topic.
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