Believing and Doubting Conventional Ideas

Believing and Doubting Conventional Ideas The ability to interpret and the acknowledgement of this respective ability emphasizes a person's willingness to doubt concepts that seem obvious. To a certain degree, it would be safe to say that humanity has evolved as a consequence of people being reluctant to accept things as they were and trying to consider their complexity.

Through constantly refuting ideas that certain groups attempted to present as being valid, people have been able to discover new ideas and have been able to play important roles in creating the modern world. "The Believing Game and How to Make Conflicting Opinions More Fruitful" provides readers with information they need in order to both develop doubtful personalities and to learn more about accepting conventional ideas. When considering the concept of medical marijuana, it is easy to observe how the masses are often inclined to be against it.

Opponents of marijuana argue that it is too dangerous to use. a. This view is intriguing because it emphasizes the idea that marijuana can, indeed, be harmful if it is abused. b. If I were to believe this view I would likely be able to play a more active role in preventing people from abusing marijuana. c.

This idea can be true in situations when individuals consume the substance on a regular basis -- in addition to being likely to have harmful effects in the long run, it can also make it difficult for a person to perform tasks considered relatively basic, such as doing his or her job. Marijuana leads to harder drug use. a.

In many areas marijuana is still illegal and individuals consuming it are thus likely to be exposed to environments frequented by criminals and their dealers are probable to also express interest in selling harder drugs. b. If I believed this view I would probably notice the dubious environments where individuals procure their marijuana. c. This idea might be true in situations when people are exposed to criminal environments and these respective criminals pressure them into thinking there would be nothing wrong with taking stronger drugs.

Marijuana is a front for drug legalization. a. Legalizing marijuana might influence harder drug supporters into thinking that it would only be natural for them to lobby with regard to having governments legalize substances they favor. b. If I believed this view I would observe more and more harder drug supporters getting actively involved in protesting the fact that the authorities criminalize substances they use. c.

One of the main reasons why this could be true would be the fact that people might perceive it as encouragement to go through with promoting harder drugs. There is much controversy with regard to the idea of "believing" something. Society as a whole has the tendency to impose its values onto the masses and to discourage individuals who prefer to choose their own path in life. Taking on such an attitude can be especially risky and can render the person unable to integrate the social order properly.

He or she can then reach a state where they are no longer supported in their actions and where they are constantly being reminded that it would be safer for them to choose to behave in ways that have previously been tested. Doubting can in itself be very harmful for the individual -- as he or she struggles to reject generally accepted ideas, he or she can fail to identify concepts that can have a positive effect on him or herself and on society in general.

By providing an idea with the chance to be tested, a person can determine whether or not the respective idea can actually bring benefits to the world. As Elbow emphasizes, individuals need to present other with the opportunity to express themselves freely without trying to jump in with the purpose to introduce their objections.

"Participants having a hard time being heard or understood are invited to tell stories of the experiences that led them to their point-of-view and to describe what it's like having or living with this view." (Elbow 22) As a consequence, one of the most important parts of life is listening to others in spite of wanting to discover.