4 ms·

Why this pressure to make me necessarily reject or accept an idea? Seems like a false dichotomy. Instead, why can't I be aware of all sorts of ideas, have them

Why this pressure to make me necessarily reject or accept an idea? Seems like a false dichotomy. Instead, why can't I be aware of all sorts of ideas, have them bouncing around my head, loosely held, and believe more or less in them, even opposing ones, as I learn more? I'm never really sure about anything, really, so there's a constant internal debate going on over various topics. While that's not necessarily good for making quick decisions, I do appreciate the mental flexibility that my uncertainty ends up giving me. Weird, controversial, silly, or obvious ideas can be useful also in order to connect with other viewpoints, practicing empathy in a way.

throwoutway 4y ago
I agree. A simple example might be nutrition science and the competing ideas there. Rice is good for you! Rice is bad for you! Coffee is good for you! Coffee is bad for you! Wine. Acidic foods. Cooking temps. Sweets. This is why I think the “everything in moderation” idea about food choices is an acceptable approach. There can be competing truths in my head about what is okay or bad, whether or not I should eat red meat. Maybe I’ll eat it tonight, but I probably shouldn’t eat it every night.
- frodetb 4y ago
  That is a great example. I've been bounced between different sides in that exact field myself, on various topics. Everyone has an opinion about food too, I find. Diets and science and morals and ethics. So, when I meet someone who has their feet firmly on either side of some issue, and are more knowledgable than me about their viewpoint, I can usually get a good talk out of it. Since I know a little bit, I can ask good questions as if from the other camp, and we can challenge eachother's statements. In the end I might yield the debate to make peace and show that I'm not really in opposition, though I may secretly still remain unpersuaded. But I'm sure to have had my internal debate enriched with food for thought! And it might even have turned into an enjoyable and memorable social encounter.
hammyhavoc 4y ago
Behold, scientific reasoning.

throwoutway 4y ago

I agree. A simple example might be nutrition science and the competing ideas there. Rice is good for you! Rice is bad for you! Coffee is good for you! Coffee is bad for you! Wine. Acidic foods. Cooking temps. Sweets. This is why I think the “everything in moderation” idea about food choices is an acceptable approach. There can be competing truths in my head about what is okay or bad, whether or not I should eat red meat. Maybe I’ll eat it tonight, but I probably shouldn’t eat it every night.

frodetb 4y ago
That is a great example. I've been bounced between different sides in that exact field myself, on various topics. Everyone has an opinion about food too, I find. Diets and science and morals and ethics. So, when I meet someone who has their feet firmly on either side of some issue, and are more knowledgable than me about their viewpoint, I can usually get a good talk out of it. Since I know a little bit, I can ask good questions as if from the other camp, and we can challenge eachother's statements. In the end I might yield the debate to make peace and show that I'm not really in opposition, though I may secretly still remain unpersuaded. But I'm sure to have had my internal debate enriched with food for thought! And it might even have turned into an enjoyable and memorable social encounter.

hammyhavoc 4y ago

Behold, scientific reasoning.