Overcoming Perspective Blindness

The concept of changing our minds is not a new one. However, the difficulty lies in accepting that we might be wrong and that our current perspective may not be entirely accurate. This is where egocentric bias comes into play, which is the tendency to believe that our perspective is the correct one and struggle to acknowledge any opposing viewpoints that could challenge it. It not only stunts our personal growth but also holds us back as a society.

The parable of The Blind Men and The Elephant illustrates this point perfectly.

Each of the blind men was convinced that he was right and that everyone else was wrong, despite their limited understanding of the elephant. The story highlights that we only view the world through narrow observation windows, making it essential to remain open-minded and willing to learn.

Choosing to accept that our views may not be the absolute truth and being willing to change our minds are crucial steps toward broadening and improving our view of reality. However, this requires humility and critical awareness about ourselves and our certainties.

To combat perspective blindness, we should:

👀 Acknowledge that different perspectives come from different information.

🙅 Never attribute malice, ignorance, or stupidity to opposing views that have different information.

💭 Ask ourselves two vital questions: what would it take to change our minds, and what do they know that we don't? These questions force humility and help us see disagreements as a pursuit of progress instead of a personal attack.

🤔 Challenge ourselves to think critically and reflect on what we've changed our minds about recently. If we struggle to think of anything, it's an indication that we may be clinging too tightly to our current worldview!

In conclusion, changing our minds is not a sign of weakness but rather an indication of growth. By embracing different perspectives, learning from others, and challenging our preconceived notions, we can unlock new growth opportunities and broaden our understanding of the world.