The more heated our reactions to a problem or subject the more, I think, we should suspect our motives and judgment. If we are unable to give a respectful hearing and consideration to the opposite point of view we should begin to doubt the soundness of our position.
This does not mean that we should be listless about our beliefs, nor does this imply that we must never feel certain on the rightness of our cause. No one can go very far in this life without positive attitudes and enthusiasm. But we always ought to leave the door open to changing our minds when the facts warrant such a reversal.
Unfortunately too many of us become so rabid and prejudiced, that we refuse to hear the other side of a question. We close our minds to alternate views and opinions. We will not read a book that differs with our own feelings. We will shun people and newspapers, lecturers and magazines which oppose our pet theories.
In this manner we narrow down the sources of our information and reduce the intake of knowledge. Then we “see red” when our convictions are questioned and our beliefs are doubted. We soon fall prey to our emotions and instead of thinking through an issue we are screaming for the blood of the “enemy.”
The next time you feel your blood pressure rising at the mere mention of a name or problem, take hold of yourself and see if your mental approach is fair. Unless you learn to calm down and respect the right of the other fellow to his arguments, you can never help justice to triumph. You don’t have a free mind unless you are willing to change it in accordance with new facts or logic. Nor do you help democracy to grow by closing your ears.
– Hyman Judah Schachtel, Houston-Post, Houston, TX., April 14, 1956
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