How do we come to believe what we believe?
Life experiences? Cultural history? Family history?
How much of what we believe is generated from within ourselves, from having asked ourselves the question: "Why do I believe this to be the truth of how things are?
Is it possible to be "bias" free? A definition of bias: "Bias is an inclination of temperaments or outlook to present or hold a partial perspective at the expense of (possibly equally valid) alternatives in reference to objects, people, or groups." (Wikipedia)
Bias is a pesky critter that somehow manages to convince us that we are without bias, rather; we are just seeing things the way they really are.
Many of us form parts of our personal identities according to our biases, perhaps we may even feel that they make us who we are. Often we tend to trust people with the same biases as ourselves in preference to those with conflicting ones. "Nah, I don't trust liberals, they are too liberal." "I don't trust religious people, they are too religious." "I don't trust losers, they are such losers."
Hanging on to a long-time held bias may feel comfortable and letting go of it may be experienced as stepping over to "the dark side".
Although we may like to believe that all our behaviour is rooted in conscious intent, can we actually show evidence for such being the case since much of human behaviour is governed by mental processes that exist outside of conscious awareness and control? (Fears of a number of varieties)
How much does the fear of disapproval by others affect our views/beliefs?
Whether it be explicit or assumed, rational or irrational, the fear of disapproval may direct our behaviour and belief system more than our consciousness allows us to admit.
If there is a disconnect between what we really believe and what we say we believe, what we really think and what we say we think, perhaps we are hanging on to biases we no longer hold in order to not be disapproved of? Letting go of well used, familiar biases can be experienced by some of us as a form of "betrayal", a break with our cultural identity; going over to "the dark side" so to speak.
"My family has always voted AAA, if I vote for BBB my family will disapprove."
"I have always said that all zzz people are lazy, if I now say that I don't view it that way anymore, my friends will disapprove and since I don't want to lose my friends, I don't say anything."
We may have selected our friends, partners, because of shared biases (views/opinions); any change may jeopardise our continued relationship. If we question our biases; "why do I hold this opinion/view?", perhaps we may also need to ask: "is it working for me, or is it causing me harm?"
Is there cognitive dissonance? ( The state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, esp. as relating to behavioural decisions and attitude change.)
If there is cognitive dissonance, it can be helpful to do a little cognitive (conscious intellectual activity) reframing: Do I have facts/evidence to support that my beliefs/views are correct? Are there other ways of looking at this? Are there pay-offs or costs involved in holding this view?
Some smart person wrote: "Any belief system (a mental system consisting of interrelated items of assumptions, beliefs, ideas, and knowledge that an individual holds about something concrete or abstract) that can't be updated, is inherently biased."
Do you feel there is a "right" way to chop an onion, do the dishes, stack a dishwasher, hang the washing, change a tyre, park a car, answer the phone, cut a pizza, make coffee, discipline a child, treat a teenager, approach a stranger, propose marriage, cut a roast, plan a budget, et cetera?
My question is this: How did you come to the conclusion as to what the "right" way is?
Often we can hold beliefs about what the right way is without even knowing why we believe so.
My son, who has always found his own "right" way of looking at things, has helped me tremendously to identify many of my biases. (Although often with much resistance from me.)
Having our belief system challenged can be of great assistance in helping us understand why we hold the views we do, and if the why is no longer applicable then we have the chance to "update" our belief system.
Every new day gifted to us offer us an opportunity to change and whether we curse or welcome its arrival is ultimately up to us. If our belief system/views/opinions/biases makes us miserable, why not challenge them by asking: "Is there another way to look at this?"
Many of us probably consider ourselves able to construct our belief systems with a mind free of bias and prejudice, question is; is that really possible for a being who's existence and survival depends on getting along with others, on forming lasting cohesive, magnanimous bonds?
Or are we all to some degree or another fettered behind subconscious configurations of biases, prejudices, and opinions?
If so, perhaps we can adopt the wisdom of five year olds and never stop asking "why?".
“None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.”
(Goethe)
“When we blindly adopt a religion, a political system, a literary dogma, we become automatons.”
(Anais Nin)
"Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our minds."
(Bob Marley)
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