  Quora Question: If facts are offensive to me, are they invalid? Unfortunately, it’s a common sentiment that facts that offend can’t be true. But, facts are facts whether they offend you or not.
Of course, it often takes some work to determine exactly what the facts are for any given situation, issue, or topic. But, ultimately we should all be concerned about getting at the facts regardless of whether they offend or not. Offense simply cannot be the standard by which we determine what is true. If it were, that would render facts completely subjective since there will always be people who find offense at one fact or another. Instead of reacting with offense at a fact why not react with curiosity? Why not recognize that in this area there is much you need to learn. And, yes why not admit that your opinion may be wrong. This is most difficult for most people. People tend to be very impressed with having opinions and they regard their own opinions as special and true. But, since we all have many opinions about many subjects and no one is infallible it follows that at this very moment you, me, and everyone must be holding some false opinions. The question is what should you do about that? Do you simply deny it? Do you become offended? Or, do you have the courage to become curious and seek to find out which of your opinions are false and work to change those? After all, if we are going to make progress on any number of problems that need work we first need to find out what is really going on. Would you rather be content in your own world of opinion and no offense or would you rather become curious and learn what is really going on in an effort to improve the world around you? I hope more people choose curiosity and drop the offense.
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 Image by Jerzy Górecki from Pixabay A2A on Quora:
There could be several reasons. As someone already pointed out, some people don’t have these things, it could be that people just don’t know how to think critically. But, for some, the are other factors that are involved. Critical thinking can expose weaknesses in your own thinking. It can clearly show where your thinking is flawed and for many people, this is a dreadful prospect to face. The same goes for freethought. Often, people implicitly recognize that this practice will call into question deeply held beliefs that they have. This creates what psychologists call cognitive dissonance. There is a conflict between what you believe and what is accurate. To resolve this conflict you have to give up something. Usually, people give up accuracy. This article illustrates this very well. Facts? We Don't Need No Stinking Facts! But, there are things you can do to bring more critical thinking and freethought into your world. First, recognize that your beliefs are not part of your self-identity. Most people define themselves in part by their beliefs. But, instead, think of beliefs as tools, like eyeglasses. Eyeglasses are designed to help you see clearly. But, what do you do when the glasses you’re wearing no longer help you see clearly? Do you hang on to them and refuse to change them? Or, do you discard them in favor of better glasses that will help you see clearly again? Do the same with your beliefs. Regard them as tools. When they no longer help you understand the world around you accurately, don’t hang on to them. Discard them. Update them. The concept of “updating” might also help. Periodically you have to update your computer or smartphone with a new operating system. As you gain more knowledge and more life experience you will find that you need to periodically update your “belief operating system.” If you don’t have to update your belief operating system that doesn’t mean you have the most accurate set of beliefs ever. It means you aren’t learning anything and growing as a person. A2A on Quora: Only appreciating art that “looks like something real.” Only appreciating music with lyrics. Only reading books/blogs/articles that you know you will agree with. Thinking you don’t need to learn anything else. Thinking that what you’re learning in school won’t be relevant to you. Thinking your religion is the right one when all you did was be born into it. Thinking that your group of friends is representative of the wider population. Thinking that people who disagree with you are not very bright. Thinking that people who disagree with you are evil. Thinking that people who disagree with you are wrong simply because they disagree with you. Thinking you’ve looked at all the evidence when you’ve only looked at what you already agree with. Thinking that you’ve already done enough thinking. Thinking that all your opinions and beliefs are correct. Thinking that you don’t hold any limiting points of view yourself. |
KEVIN J. BROWNEPhilosopher / Educator 
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