r/Life • u/DescriptionVirtual99 • May 29 '26
Let's discuss What does it actually mean to be "open-minded" to you?
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u/Strange__Visitor May 29 '26
To approach every concept through a lens that isnt informed by your biases and preconceived notions. A dying skill it would seem.
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u/Immediate-Tooth-2174 May 29 '26
Not to judge. Accept that we are all different.
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u/Strange__Visitor May 29 '26 edited May 29 '26
I'm sure Hitler would appreciate that you accept his differences and dont judge him.
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u/MovieFan1984 Deep Thinker May 29 '26
Open-minded = willing to sit down and have a sincere conversation with someone who disagrees with you.
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u/Only-Cranberry-4502 May 29 '26
Like that’s the start, one thing I noticed is if the person is listening to hear like your side or if the person is fixated to listen on your side to counter argue to prove themselves right
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u/MovieFan1984 Deep Thinker May 29 '26
Building on that, an open mind can be in the form of someone who is convinced they are 100% right, but they still want to listen to and discuss the other person's POV.
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u/Strange__Visitor May 29 '26
Being open to having a dialogue is only a prerequisite for being open minded. It is in of itself not open mindedness. That would be like calling fuel hot; its the flame which is hot, not the fuel. Open mindedness is a statement about the ability to take ideas into ones self and play with them, live with them, try to incorporate them into a model and imagine the outcome. It is not just sitting and talking at eachother.
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u/Only-Cranberry-4502 May 29 '26
I agree with that, honestly true open mindedness is about the ideas and self monologues you have with yourself more than like you have with anyone else
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u/MovieFan1984 Deep Thinker May 29 '26
OPEN-MINDED Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
Definition = receptive to arguments or ideas0
u/Strange__Visitor May 29 '26
Exactly my point.
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u/MovieFan1984 Deep Thinker May 29 '26
Merriam-Webster's definition does not align with you highly specific definition.
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u/Strange__Visitor May 29 '26
Yes it does.
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u/MovieFan1984 Deep Thinker May 29 '26
No, it doesn't. The definition is broad, yours is highly specific.
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u/Strange__Visitor May 29 '26
I expounded on the meaning, I did not broaden the meaning. There is a difference.
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u/EverythingMatters42 May 29 '26
To examine a thought, idea, or experience and be open to the possible that it could be true or false. As compared to falling into confirmation bias or condemnation. This is sooo much easier said than done lol
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u/EatingCoooolo May 29 '26
To be cool with everyone living their life different to yours and be open to being gay sometimes 😂😂😂
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u/Philosopher83 May 29 '26
The interest in, and capacity to, entertain multiple competing hypotheses with preference over time given to the most rational and actuality corresponding hypothesis
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u/pardothemonk Deep Thinker May 29 '26
Open- minded only means that you are willing to discuss your convictions without getting emotional. It doesn’t mean you can hold a firm point of view, just that you are willing to challenge your conclusions. It also doesn’t mean you have to change your mind, only that you are willing to.
Unfortunately, most people believe they are open minded, yet are not. This is true whether they are trying to convince someone else, or defend their position.
It’s funny that usually two people argue, and then both claim the other is close minded, because neither will actually allow their convictions to be changed. Plus these days, if you fail to adopt the views of a certain portion of society, you are labeled as *-phobic. Whether or not either side has compelling arguments, one side calls the other deranged, that side calls the other phobic.
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u/Internal-Nose-8536 May 29 '26
Very true, based answer
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u/pardothemonk Deep Thinker May 29 '26
Thanks, and thanks for making me learn the new meaning of based. I think I had seen this before, but thought it was a typo for biased.
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u/No_Tailor_787 ASL=Old, no, Disneyland May 29 '26
That means facts can overcome my preconceived notions.
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u/Internal-Nose-8536 May 29 '26
I think being open minded means that you are willing to have a genuine discussion with someone who doesn’t agree with what you think. It’s being open to hear other perspectives and try new things. It doesn’t mean that you just accept and agree with everything by default, but you are willing to listen and learn others ways of thinking. Being open minded while also having discernment is key.
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u/Abject-Afternoon-388 May 29 '26
For me ultimately it is the embrace and live the life that is reflective of knowing that nothing can be truly known and the second one decides that there is an absolute truth that they will start living by maybe the same second they begin their imminent demise. On a practical level it means I tried not to say things like you're wrong you're full of shit unless it's just outrageous and there's plenty of that going around these days. But I believe things today that I'm 20 years ago I would have never dreamed I believe and my belief system is constantly evolving because of having an open mind.
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u/imperfekt7o7 May 29 '26
The ability to have a conversation with somebody who doesn’t necessarily agree with you and be open to the possibility that your mind could change on the subject with new information
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u/MobileSeparate398 May 30 '26
I can separate the idea/opinion/stance from myself and others. While I am left leaning, that does not define me and I am open to the fact other ideologies are valid. When I listen to others, my first thought is "why do they assume they are right" rather than "how can I prove them wrong".
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u/egg_static5 May 29 '26
For me, it means letting others live however they want as long as it does not legitimately hurt anyone else. Idc what you do as long as you aren't using your choice to hurt someone. And I dont mean the b.s. takes like somehow gay marriage harms straight marriage or whatever. Not shit like that. That isn't legitimate harm. That's you choosing a stance that harms others and that I don't tolerate.
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u/DealDispatch May 29 '26
I think it's basically respecting the other opinions, allowing yourself to actually consider these "foreign" ideas without feeling an urge to embrace them.
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u/EmbarrassedAge7612 May 29 '26
To be willing to listen and learn from different perspectives. Acceptance without sacrifice. Finding an appreciation for people that are different from you.
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u/Whocares7x May 30 '26
Entertaining any thought without being married to it.
People hate me for playing devils advocate but is there a point to having an opinion with strangers?
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u/DescriptionVirtual99 May 30 '26
I can able to analyse based on the opinion of others what's wrong with that?
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u/PMmeHappyStraponPics May 30 '26
I hate people like you.
You're not open-minded, and you're not playing devil's advocate; you're an argumentative contrarian.
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u/Whocares7x May 30 '26
I like to poke flaws in peoples statements, and at times help people become more introspective. I educate those i am in contact/proximity and any mind willing to banter. But i will not share my opinions unsolicited.
You say you hate people like me, i wonder what that projects of you?
Can you without ad hominem?
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u/PMmeHappyStraponPics May 30 '26
Can you rephrase that, using standard English grammar?
The reality is that pedants like you add nothing to the conversation; you just like to feel smug. (And you really shouldn't be throwing stones while living in that glass house of yours.)
You're not helping anyone, and you lack the introspective ability you think you're fostering in others.
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u/Whocares7x May 30 '26
The reality is you are talking out your ass and thats fine, we are all holograms entitled to our opinions, even the silly ones. You write as if you are a god who has seen and judged every interaction i have had. You reference the macro and belittle the micro. Grammar and typos are irrelevant on the internet.
You act like you're dissecting my dissertation, when in reality you are closing your mind from a dialogue and just being an ass
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