This question is hard to put into exact words so bear with me. Some debates never really have a definite answer, its a matter of preference, such as Kirk vs Picard. I am asking about the other kind of debates that can really only have one answer but nobody knows such as the JKF assassination or creation/evolution. In these cases, only one side can be closer to the truth if not absolutely correct. What I want to know is, say a group of people much like us, absorb the same kinds of information about such a topic, why do some people come to different conclusions than the others? Does it go back farther than that? As in, my parents taught me about Jesus so thats what I believe now and my mind cannot be changed no matter how much evidence says otherwise?
Personally, I have always tried to keep an open mind… in school I was taught LHO killed JFK, but now after reading more about the subject and looking at the Zapruder film I do not even think he took one shot at him. Do others keep their first impression as the truth? I was also brought up as a Protestant/Lutheran (whatever) and went through the whole confirmation deal, but I have to question many beliefs…
It is not my intention to start any kind of debate over JFK or God,(there are plenty of those threads in the debate forum) those were merely examples to help me with the question: Why are we so stubborn?
“Wow! Spider-Man! Are you really friends with the X-men?” "Not since Cyclops tried to use my viewmaster."
(Marvel Team Up #1)
Or to put it another way: Why don’t we all agree on some of these topics?
I presume we would all agree that the reason an object falls to Earth is because of Earths gravitational field. (At least thats what I hope you think) Why do we take opposite sides on other issues that can only have one side of truth?
“Wow! Spider-Man! Are you really friends with the X-men?” "Not since Cyclops tried to use my viewmaster."
(Marvel Team Up #1)
I don’t think it is stubbornness, so much as how deeply a particular belief rings true to you.
For instance, I am a Republican. It has clicked with me since I was 5 and watching the 1980 debates. I feel safe in saying that won’t change unless the Republican party completely changes their platform. It is not being stubborn, but rather it is finding a place that matches up well with my beliefs.
On the other hand, I used to think term limits made no sense. Now, I find myself shifting on that somewhat.
Whether it is a strongly held belief or a wavering stance, I also like to hear opposing and similar viewpoints. Keeps the info and changes fresh and allows me the greatest opportunity to review and reformulate my ideas.
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Ah, but Mullinator, what makes one thing ring more deeply true for one person, and something different for another person? Why does one person feel adamantly one way and another feel adamantly the opposite?
It seems like you’re talking about values. It is useless to try to change someones values, they seem to get set at an early age and change very little. There can never be complete understanding between people with different values, in my opinion. People will often change their minds on an issue as more data becomes available, but it’s not their values that change, it’s their understanding of how those issues fit in with their values.
One of the problems many people have is that they assume everyone has the same values and people who disagree with them are just stupid or ignorant. I had to take a course at work about ethics and the course started with a discussion of values and how they provided the foundation to ethics. The concept works for me, I’ve learned to quit arguing when the issue is values.
Stubborness can be a very good trait, it’s what prevents us from being manipulated into beliefs and actions that go against our values.
I think most people are stubborn out of a need to come across as strong. By holding to a particular viewpoint, one forces others to disprove and allows one to remain the center of attention.
To give in to another’s argument is perceived as weakness to the stubborn-minded. They will concede only when the vast majority turns against them or they can find a way to make it seem that they were agreeing with you all along.
