Open mind vs Active mind?

I think the "believe what you're told" problem comes from government schools. Kids are not taught to think for themselves, but they're taught to accept what they're told. That's not a good excuse for those who have been out of school for some time, but many young adults (and some older ones) are still under that influence.

I agree 100%. I went to parochial school during grade school. I then was put in a public high school. I had had latin in grade school, my reading comprehension was tested at 12.9 (highest the test went) and my teachers where wanting me to take advanced classes. Except math lol. I sucked at math, except geometry. I dropped out in my junior year (long story) and my biology teacher offered to pass me if I'd just come back and take the final so I could have the credit and not have to take it again if and when I went to college. I'm not a genius, I was just better prepared than my classmates. Even back in the sixties and seventies public schools were not teaching core acedemics. And I don't have to explain, part of the reason I dropped out was the HUGE difference in morality between private and public schools, just way to much temptation for kids with raging hormones and no one telling them to have character and moral strength.

And THAT is the root of what I was saying, thinking about things, even if they may not be what we normally accept. I'm seeing so much of the 'taking at face value' now a days, it is really most of our problem in America. We're told what to believe, and little by little we accept more and more falsehoods.

I have never understood the "true for you but not for me" idea.. that truth is relative.. Relative to what? That's crazy talk!! Something is either true (fact) or not. Something is real, or it is not real. It's like saying, there is no gravity. Gravity may be true for you, but it is not true for me. Ok I wouldn't advise the scientific method on this.. i.e. is your theory proved true by what it theorizes will happen, by it actually happening? I.e. someone should not jump off the high building trying to prove gravity is not real for them, in the belief gravity is relative.

An Open mind is not what we should strive for. An open mind always rejects absolutes and accepts that anyone's ideas are or can be correct for them. An active mind, thinks and uses critical thinking, logical thinking. It rejects relativism (may be true for you but not for me) and desires proofs for the ideas they accept.

Oh i forgot to add that very few people have an active mind too. And none of them is someone we know or someone we heard about.

I'm in agreement. I'm seeing the 'offended' so much in my discussions online. Recently I said to someone who was 'offended' at my ideas and threatened to unfriend me...rather than turn away from my idea and refuse to talk about it in a rational way, you should defend your idea (that differs) and perhaps then strengthen your resolve that your's is the better idea, OR just simply refuse to THINK and remain 'offended'. We are witnessing the end of logical thought and rational discouse. Everyone is 'offended' and it keeps them from considering anything outside their comfort zone.

I've come to the conclusion that people are "offended" mostly because it allows them an out--they can reject an idea without having to think about it if they claim offense and reject it because of some manufactured indignation. America is in the very active business of turning off everyone's brains, thoughtfulness is dangerous, and ideas centered in any moral conviction threatens the very fabric of today's society.

Moral relativism. 'that may be true to you, but not to me' kinda thinking, and yes it is a lazy way to think. I'm not so sure that there is a way to fix it. I refuse to participate. lol There has to be absolutes for the universe to make any logical sense. And I think that is why I keep 'offending' so many. What is scary is that to hold certain views is now basically illegal. How in the world can you be punished for 'hate' when 'hate' is a thought? And how do you defend against that accusation? And how is believing our government should be limited to the Constitution alone dangerous? Obviously, it's dangerous the the government that is attempting (and has) gone over and above Constitutional limmits. So plain, yet so many don't get it.

Untouchable and unmovable. Kinda like 'we hold these truths to be self evident'. Great response.

Well said. A mind waiting to be filled with something. Anything. Scary

Yes, it is scary.

hi! well said!

I agree.

Consider the possibilities, weigh the evidence. THINK

An active mind does the same thing, but does not accept as true, that which the evidence shows to be untrue.

Opened minded has come to mean that you believe anything and everything without weighing the evidences. For instance, 'that may be true for you, but not for me'. How can it be that truth changes according to personal whim? An active mind considers ALL evidences, and is not bullied into discounting any evidence because it is in opposition to already held beliefs.