Cogitare

Traditionally, changing opinions has not been seen quite positively: to be respected one should hold to his opinions, regardless of new evidence or circumstances, until the end. I write now with the aim of debunking that idea, at least in part, and showing that the ability to change your mind is also part of critical thinking.

The ability to express one’s own convictions clearly and supporting one’s ideas against opposition is clearly something great. The problem arises when, trying to defend the things they believe in, people start (consciously or not) ignoring the evidence and logic of arguments.

So, being able to accept you have been wrong is as valuable as the capacity of holding fiercely to an original idea for which you have logical support. That way, we can avoid stubbornness and stupidity, as well allowing progress.

Yet, all this doesn’t mean it’s good to go around changing your mind and copying others opinions all the time! The message I’d like to get through is that in the context of a rational, logical argumentation it is not wrong to accept the ideas of the “opponent” and change your point of view. That’s actually the aim of a discussion: compare arguments, exchange opinions and elucidate the topic!

This way, understanding the importance of being flexible in opinions is fundamental for philosophy and science (believe it or not, there have been cases in which people refuse to accept scientific evidence that contradicts their views). And everything is much easier when people see that attacking an argument or position is not a personal offense (unless an ad hominem fallacy is used, in which case the argument wouldn’t have value anyway).

I hope to have made my point clear. But maybe your experience is different, do you agree with all this? Perhaps you can change my mind.