Heirarchy of Thoughts ( Changing Someone's Mind? )

Originally Posted by Marshall

Are those Muslims evil people, or are they people who's good intentions run very different from our own?

I know a lot of Christians who are determined to convert me to Christianity.
There are a lot of Christians who somehow think we can or should convert Iraq to Christianity. I have met these people. They are people who's good intentions are very different from my own.

Think about it. Maybe most of those guys are good inside, with no way to reach an understanding with us.

Marshall, it is supremely difficult (some would say impossible), to get some people to look at things from a different point of view. Personally, I have to try VERY hard to maintain this ability, and even so I do not always succeed. It is human nature to be resistant to change, and this is especially true of one's beliefs. I don't remember where I heard it, or if I have mentioned it before, but there is a hierarchy of thought that I think is prudent to mention here. When you are talking about changing what people think, keep this in mind. I always find it useful.

1) Knowledge (things we know). This is the easiest of thoughts to change. People can know a fact, and very easily change their point of view when presented with new data. Example: A few years ago, I knew that eggs were bad for me. Recently, new studies showed that while egg yolks are bad for me, egg whites are actually very healthy. My knowledge of that fact changed quite easily.

2) Understanding (things we understand). I understand that Carbon Dioxide, as a greenhouse gas, will lead to global warming as its concentration increases in the atmosphere. I have studied this extensively in college. Any attempt to challenge this understanding is met with instant skepticism, since this is data that I have spent a great deal of thought and work on. This understanding can be changed, but it would take a great deal of proof and evidence to overcome my initial hesitation to do so.

3) Belief (things we believe). These are almost impossible to change. I believe that murder is wrong. I believe that human beings should treat each other with respect and compassion. Beliefs form the core of everything that makes us who we are. To change someone's belief is almost impossible and it usually requires very drastic circunstances for this to happen.

The problem facing us (Americans) is that our beliefs are different than those of the people in the Middle East. Very VERY different. And we are trying to get those people to change their beliefs to more closely match our own. This is the most difficult of tasks, and some would argue that it is completely impossible. Our attempts to do so thus far have been met with defiance and violence. To some, their beliefs are so important, that they see violence as the only defense left to them to protect those beliefs.

So to Xnarg and the others here who point to acts of violence and terrorism to disparage all (or a majority) of Muslims in the Middle East, please try to keep this in mind. And also try to put the shoe on the other foot. If the countries in the Middle East were the ones with the power and we the ones without it... how would you react if the Muslims tried to instill their culture in America? Would you react with violence to defend your most cherished beliefs?
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Trying to change someone's mind? Consult the hierarchy of thought. Are you trying to change knowledge. understanding, or belief? Once you figure that out, you'll know how hard of a time you're going to have.

Stupid people don't learn from their mistakes. Smart people learn from their mistakes. Truely intelligent people learn from the mistakes of others.