Dogmatic Thinking, How to Overcome It
If you find yourself guilty of dogmatic thinking, there are a few things you can do to overcome it.
1. Be open to new ideas. One of the most important things you can do is to be open to new ideas. This means being willing to listen to people who have different beliefs than you, and being willing to consider their viewpoints. It also means being willing to change your mind if you are presented with new evidence or arguments.
2. Think critically. Another important thing you can do is to think critically about your own beliefs. This means asking yourself why you believe what you do, and whether there is any evidence to support your beliefs. It also means being willing to challenge your own beliefs if you find that they are not based on sound evidence.
3. Be respectful of others' beliefs. Even if you disagree with someone's beliefs, it is important to be respectful of them. This means listening to them with an open mind, and avoiding personal attacks. It also means being willing to find common ground, even if you cannot agree on everything.
4. Be willing to learn. Finally, it is important to be willing to learn. This means being open to new information and experiences, and being willing to change your mind if you are presented with new evidence or arguments.
Overcoming dogmatic thinking is not easy, but it is possible. By following these tips, you can become more open-minded, critical, respectful, and willing to learn. This will help you to live a more fulfilling and enriching life.
Art by DavidJohn via Midjourney AI
Here are some additional tips for overcoming dogmatic thinking:
Read books and articles from a variety of perspectives. This will help you to see the world from different angles and to understand why people hold different beliefs.
Talk to people who have different beliefs than you. This can be a challenging but rewarding experience.
Take a class or workshop on critical thinking or logic. This can help you to develop the skills you need to think more critically about your own beliefs.
Be patient with yourself. It takes time to overcome dogmatic thinking. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results overnight.
Need help changing your mind?
Here are a couple articles I’ve written that might help:
