What exactly is wrong with being narrow-minded?

Discussion in 'General Philosophy' started by greenberg, May 18, 2008.

  1. greenberg until the end of the world Registered Senior Member

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    There is the view that being narrow-minded, rigid is negative in some way, wrong, bad.


    Question:

    What exactly is wrong with being narrow-minded?
    What exactly is wrong with having a rigid mind?
     
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  3. Myles Registered Senior Member

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    Being narrow-minded implies that one is not open to new ideas. This entails a belief that one already knows all there is to know which betokens ignorance.


    A rigid mind is not open to change. It can lead to fanaticism.
     
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  5. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

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  7. Arkantos Registered Senior Member

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    Whenever you accept some ideas you're simultaneously closing yourself off to others.

    Calling people narrow minded or saying that someone is not open minded is basically an insult people throw at others when they can't convince them to accept their views.

    It's like who are you trying to kid man? lulz
     
  8. Mrs.Lucysnow Valued Senior Member

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    What exactly is wrong with being narrow-minded?

    Well thoughts specifically new ones cannot get through because the space is sooo narrow.

    What exactly is wrong with having a rigid mind?

    A rigid mind is like an atrophied muscle, suffering from lack of movement. It lacks flexibility.
     
  9. clusteringflux Version 1. OH! Valued Senior Member

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    "Some people are so open minded that it seems their brain has fallen out."
     
  10. Mrs.Lucysnow Valued Senior Member

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    (Offers open hand)

    Here you dropped a few.
     
  11. Myles Registered Senior Member

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    To drop something entails having that something in the first place. Can you be sure he dropped anything ?
     
  12. clusteringflux Version 1. OH! Valued Senior Member

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    High five! Your jokes suck.
     
  13. Myles Registered Senior Member

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    Thanks. We aim to please.
     
  14. Syzygys As a mother, I am telling you Valued Senior Member

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    Philosophically speaking there is nothing WRONG with closed mindedness. And people can be closed minded by choice. Let's say if I am happy the way i think and the way how things go, what is the purpose of opening my mind up and most likely screw things up? (based on the what is not broken let's not fix)
     
  15. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

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    Look at the Amish people. To many they are "narrow minded" but they have survived these many centuries without failing in their ways as yet. Should they be ridiculed for their so called narrow mindedness or complimented for being so ecologically aware?:shrug:
     
  16. Archie Registered Senior Member

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    We are all 'narrow-minded' about something or other. I refuse to consider breathing water or eating dog droppings, for instance. (But if 'open-mindedness' is your nee plus ultra, you go right ahead and give it a whirl, bunky.)

    Usually when someone accuses another of 'narrow-mindedness' they are simply berating that other of not agreeing. Much like when a politician says, "We have to come together!" he or she is really saying, "You're going to do it MY way!"

    Looking about the world, there are those who claim to 'seek answers'. However, when they find someone with an answer, even an answer that fulfills the conditions of the question and actually functions, the 'seeker' refuses the answer on grounds of personal preference and then claims the person with the answer is closed or narrow minded.

    That cracks me up.
     
  17. Myles Registered Senior Member

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    It may be a co-incdence but depressiuon is significntly higher among Amish men than it is among non-Amish/
     
  18. EndLightEnd This too shall pass. Registered Senior Member

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    Theres nothing WRONG with being narrow-minded.

    But it wouldnt be my choice. ;-)
     
  19. Mrs.Lucysnow Valued Senior Member

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    Archie: We are all 'narrow-minded' about something or other. I refuse to consider breathing water or eating dog droppings, for instance. (But if 'open-mindedness' is your nee plus ultra, you go right ahead and give it a whirl, bunky.)

    Since when did 'narrow minded' imply lack of discrimination?
     
  20. Myles Registered Senior Member

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    Sice trhe narrowminded denied themselves choice.
     
  21. PsychoticEpisode It is very dry in here today Valued Senior Member

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    Thank God I'm narrow minded

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  22. Myles Registered Senior Member

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    Did you choose narrowmindedness or was it an act of god that struck you down.

    All Hail the Days of Tight -fitting Shoes for Their Soles Shall Perish Not from Wearing !

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  23. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

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    Narrow minded could also be from lack of education as well or bad education.
     

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