In this world, we have people from all walks of life who believe in a multitude of ideologies – a unique way of looking at the world.
Should this mean that we need to accept what others believe? Should we not express our disagreement on why the beliefs of another could be toxic and damaging for themselves and others? Should we remain in silence, pretend to agree just so we don’t have to take part in an argument, risking our social status?
Absolutely not! Criticism is necessary. It keeps potentially dangerous ideas in check. This is what freedom of speech is all about. Everyone is able to speak their mind, to test their ideas out in the wild, to test them up to scrutiny, to see if an idea is beneficial or destructive for the human race. Ideas can spread like viruses and at the same time act as a cure for sickness.
It is crucial for all ideas, good and bad, to be openly expressed. Each person has the right to decide what is best for them. Nobody should have the power to decide what is best for someone else.
The power to disagree with another openly is to have a productive conversation with the intention of overall growth, to changing the minds of others, potentially on both sides of any given fence closer to the truth. We are quick to argue against another’s position just because we don’t believe at the moment what they believe. There’s no room for debate.
Having your own beliefs tested is healthy. It keeps you centered and teaches you that you’re not perfect, that you can be wrong, that you can slip up, crash, and burn but willing to admit defeat because doing so provides you with the rich opportunity for growth as a person.
As humans, we go through life trying to make sense of everything we see. We come up with theories, we use scenarios and past experience to make a clearer representation of what makes sense to us. The one thing that is always constant is a failure. We need to constantly re-evaluate what we believe and what kind of person we want to be. Opening ourselves up and changing how we think when it just makes common sense to do so will fast-track us to the ideal life we wish to live.
Destructive ideas are rigid and uncompromising leaving you crippled to progress. They will shut others down eliminating the chance for discourse.
Ideas that claim, “ I am right and you are wrong” without ever truly knowing another person’s stance… These ideas need to be brought out and openly discussed. There are many ways to share destructive ideas by making them look innocent. But when you are able to lay all the pieces on the table for everyone to see, the truth will prevail every time, and people will always make the right choice.
