Figmentations

Opinions are essentially based on:  our interpretations of information; and, our life experiences.   Once we form an opinion, it is not uncommon that we believe that our opinion is the right opinion to have.

Groups form based on people with similar opinions, priorities, and interests.  We often reinforce and nurture our beliefs from these groups.

Yet, we know that it is also important to form opinions of our own, too, and that we can’t just blindly accept the opinions of others.

There will always be things that we can’t possibly know everything about and/or things that we haven’t experienced in the same way that others have.   For those times, it is important to be open to seeking out and considering the opinions and experiences of others. 

Being arrogant or self-righteous about our own beliefs may provide some degree of needed certainty about life to us, as leaders and/or as their followers.  But, in a complex world with an unknown number of “unknown unknowns” is it always beneficial to live in a state of absolute certainty?

Social proof may lead people to choose one position over another, yet we know that social proof alone isn’t a reliable indicator of what to believe in.  For example, consider the issues that split our country, whichever side of the fence you are on, clearly we can see that just because there is a large number of people with a particular belief, that doesn’t make their belief more “right” or “wrong” than another belief.

On the other hand, being a lone voice doesn’t clearly make you are a pioneer or a fool either.  Usually only hindsight gives the clearest picture to the crowd or to the lone voice about the veracity of their prior beliefs.

So, what are we to do?  Who do we believe if we can’t always trust that we or others have chosen the “correct” side to be on?  Maybe it’s a different question we should be asking. 

Maybe it’s best to just stay open to finding that balance between having confidence and conviction, while also welcoming new and unknown information that could potentially reinforce and/or change the way we think about things. 

Life can be complex. As you may already know, there is more than one way to get to the same outcome.  And, there are many equally acceptable outcomes that can meet a variety of needs.

In learning about different ways of thinking, someone recently suggested that the goal might not really be to “operate at a higher level” but more to move from being “dysfunctional” to “functional”.  At first glance, that doesn’t sound like a very high expectation for us. 

But, maybe seeking to perfect one specific way of thinking or doing things isn’t really better than finding a way that is “functional”, i.e., that works, for everyone.  From “functional”, we will certainly be at a different place from which new things can grow. 

Consider, too, that a “functional way” might even be a “moving target” for which absolute certainty won’t ever find a resting place.  Just something to consider…

So, let me know. What do you think? Are you glad that I decided to write about opinions in general rather than expressing specific political opinions?