Humility and Wisdom in Public Debates

Have you ever been so sure of something only to find out you were wrong and what you thought was correct was misinformation? How have you reacted? Have you clung to your previous ignorant position or admitted that you were wrong?

It is very hard to admit when we are wrong because we may have a lot at stake, so we will look for alternative opinions to support our initial incorrect view.

We want to remain within our confirmation bias and would rather cling to a comfortable falsehood than face the uncomfortable truth.

We find it very hard to admit we were wrong, but what if we looked at ourselves as more fluid? As a student continually learning ? Seeing oneself as willing to be flexible and becoming flexible in your opinions give you the right to be wrong. Allow yourself the right to be wrong.

The mindset change from the dogmatic to the more fluid mindset can be liberating to you, but frustrating to those who are more dogmatic and set in their ways. You will be like a chameleon on a rainbow puzzle when you adopt this attitude. Well, some will see you like that. Never being able to pin you down to an opinion cast in stone. We should never allow our opinions to be cast in stone unless there is an indisputable fact being discussed. For instance, it is not clever to try to disprove universal laws of logic.

I am speaking here of subjects where the known science is forever changing or where there are different interpretations of the data.

There may also be a time element to what is being discussed, so as time proceeds, new knowledge may come to light. Being dogmatic in such matters makes you look inflexible and ignorant. The arrogant pride of the dogmatic, opinionated ignorant types always comes to entrap them in their very own words.

Who ever made the rule that because you believed something a few months back with the data available at that time, that you should remain with that viewpoint at this later stage? There is no such rule unless we arbitrarily confine ourselves to operate within that faulty premise.

Not understanding the circumstances of those around us, not understanding their motivations and attitudes and the drivers behind those attitudes and opinions often reveals the bankruptcy of arrogance.

Rather than arrogantly repeating slogans, if we took the time to discuss more deeply with those who oppose us, we can avoid the humility that comes with arrogance and pride.

I watched a video of such an incident within our political arena here in Australia, where the opposition to the lady speaking was shouting out his slogan, unaware of certain underlying facts of the person he was trying to belittle and attack.

When the truth came out later that evening, he looked like an ignorant bully for all of his arrogant blustering. Without knowing the facts and committing yourself to a dogmatic position never works out well.

The wisdom in humility is the complete opposite of blustery ignorance.

How about a practical example of the wisdom of humility? The below exchange would be what I am trying to expound in this article.

Media: ‘The leader of the opposition says that what you are doing is irresponsible and contrary to the good of the public, they have painted you as reckless.’

Politician: ‘The leader of the opposition probably does not have the understanding that I do of the situation, and my reasons for choosing as I have. I would be happy to discuss the reasons for my actions with him.’

Media ‘But he says you are reckless.’

Politician ‘That is his opinion. I am not defined by the opinion of the leader of the opposition, so I respectfully reject such an allegation.’

By remaining calm and calculated in her responses, the politician has reframed the discussion without being arrogant, and won the interaction with the media.

In the above interaction the politician said she was happy to have a discussion with her accuser, this made her sound conciliatory against his attacks, she also used the word ‘respectfully’ and allegation, casting doubt on his accusations, because she stated it is an allegation and she remained respectful, all the while, rejecting his attack.

A respectful rebuttal will always win over a blustery accusation.

Always be aware of the reasons why you believe something or took a certain action. Think through your own thought process and what information you have available to you. If you have sound logical thinking behind your words or deeds, it will be difficult for anyone to trip you up in public debate.

Careful thinking and contemplation will always place you in a better position in any situation in life, when contrasted against impatient conclusions and thoughtless slogans.