Throughout our lifetime, we learn first from our family and then from everyone else who influences our thinking. As our brain develops, we gain the ability to think for ourselves. As we mature, we can better analyze the facts and opinions instilled in us as children, sometimes holding fast to what we have been taught, sometimes questioning, altering, or even deleting past concepts. Fortunate are those who have been encouraged to think for themselves. Congratulations to those parents and teachers who have fostered this ability.
We are constantly bombarded with ideas and opinions. Some sources of information are not trustworthy. Often, we are manipulated to accept the opinions of others, to even turn off our logic instead of trying to seek the truth. Frequently, manipulators appeal to our emotions and basic instincts in order to align our thinking with theirs. Perhaps they do this with our best interests at heart. Sometimes, they have their own best interests at the forefront.
All of us are manipulators at times. When we feel we have knowledge and truth, we may wish others to accept our ideas without question. Parents prefer their children to agree with their opinions. Advertisers promote their products to make a profit. Politicians solicit our support and our vote. Religious organizations want to explain the supernatural and keep us in the fold. Many of these influencers believe they are doing this for our own good. Responsible parents want their children to learn right from wrong. Many products and services are necessary and can improve our lives. Good politicians are essential to uphold the law and our democracy. Religious organizations desire to save our souls and insure our afterlife in heaven.
Our responsibility then is to learn whatever we can to help our thinking mature, to distinguish between fact and opinion. We also should be aware of how we present our own opinions to others. We need to teach ourselves and others not just what to think, but how to learn.
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