A wise man changes his mind often, (a fool never!)

grahamg

grahamg

Old codger
Location
South of Manchester, UK
You may have heard this old saying many times before, (another one of my father's saying,, one he used quite often when being "interrogated by my mother on this or that, and needed an excuse for changing his mind perhaps?).

Anyway, do you agree that generally it is a good thing to change ones mind, (I've been prompted to post this thread topic, because I've just had another change of mind myself about something connected to a legal matter). :unsure:
 

One of the best bosses I ever had would listen receptively and change his mind if you presented him with enough evidence to the contrary of his beliefs. The worst bosses regard differing options as threats and something to be repressed and beaten down. Cognitive flexibility is a sign of intelligence and a magnanimous soul...
 
my-minds-made-up-orlando-espinosa.jpg
 
Devi said:
I'd say that never changing one's mind, and always changing one's mind, are far too rigid and can lead to less than positive results. Change your mind when you need to.
Click to expand...
I agree. Forever changing one's mind signals lack of self knowledge and/ or maturity. Specifics would be needed because nothing is all black or white. 🤔
 
Spent a significant part of my career working with people who had lots of letters behind their name... while I had none. Many times I would see something amiss in their designs and explain why it needed changed. Honestly, more would consider my suggestions and, often, make the necessary changes than those whose ego would not accept their error. I really respected those who would take the suggestions to heart. They accepted changes to benefit our clients over their own pride. Always, I would convey the changes as their idea to better serve the client. Of course, it was not beyond me to do some work behind the scenes with those whose ego prevailed. Could not allow the firm to have its reputation tarnished by an out of control ego.

A good hearty discussion that can lead to a change of mind is healthy and productive. "Because I said so!" is not.
 
helenbacque said:
I think a wiser man is one who is open to changing his mind if there is good reason. JMO
Click to expand...
Well yes, but whoever made up the saying "A wise man/woman changes his/her mind often, (a fool never varies!)", may have thought the wise man/woman they were referring to knew that was the case! :)

(oh, btw, "didn't women once have the reputation for changing their minds, so it became their prerogative"!). :) :)
 
A bit of research on the thread topic:
https://psychologycompass.com/blog/training-the-wise-mind/

Quote:
"The Wise Mind is a rare psychological state that a person occupies in their day-to-day life. It is the quiet, optimal mode of acting/thinking that is flexible, adaptive, and holistic. Success and confidence flows out of this mental state.

The Wise Mind sits in the middle of two extreme ends, the emotional mind on one end and the rational mind on the other. Most people find themselves on either end of the spectrum, being either overly emotional or overly rational in their decisions and behaviors. The middle, however, often gets skipped over.

Building confidence and quelling self-doubt happens not on the ends, but smackdab right in the (Wise Mind) middle. Unfortunately, your default psychology is working against you as the brain likes to sit at the two ends and to miss the centre point altogether."

Break

"Newly instated behaviors reinforce the grooves and create a much needed middle zone for the Wise Mind to occur – and with this, you avoid the all-or-none “purely emotional” versus “purely rational” mode of action. You resolve the polar opposites in coming to a point of dialectical integration: You become the Wise Mind.

The accompanying framework is designed to train the Wise Mind in you and, in turn, foster greater self-confidence. There are three parts to the framework:

Step 1. Understand the experience of the Wise Mind

Step 2. Notice when you’re in the emotional mind and/or rational mind

Step 3. Apply 5 novel solutions and tactics to train your Wise Mind"
 
grahamg said:
Well yes, but whoever made up the saying "A wise man/woman changes his/her mind often, (a fool never varies!)", may have thought the wise man/woman they were referring to knew that was the case! :)

(oh, btw, "didn't women once have the reputation for changing their minds, so it became their prerogative"!). :) :)
Click to expand...
Or maybe whoever made up that saying simply didn't think it through. Even wise people can make mistakes.
 
It's not so much about changing your mind as being open and flexible. Being prepared to listen to another's point of view and changing your stance on something is a sign of a mature, rational person.
Being unable to make up your mind is not quite the same thing.
 
Lavinia said:
It's not so much about changing your mind as being open and flexible. Being prepared to listen to another's point of view and changing your stance on something is a sign of a mature, rational person.
Being unable to make up your mind is not quite the same thing.
Click to expand...
You are right of course, "if only we could all more often meet those levels of understanding etc."! :)
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top