Intellectual humility.

Firstly, what is humility? It is the quality of having a modest or low view of one’s importance. In other words humility is the ability not to be overconfident of what one knows.

Now, what is intellectual humility? It is having a flexible (not rigid) view on any issue, however much you may know about it.

This intellectual humility is what I see seriously lacking in most of us. We do all it takes to fight back to win an argument because we think what we know it correct. While if we were intellectually modest then we would be patient enough to hear the other side out and try to understand their logic behind the view they hold.

The lack of it is majorly evident in the political sphere in India. There are rightists and leftists. They keep fighting on every topic of political concern. This is because of the rigidity of their intellect which is not flexible enough to accommodate different views.

Intellectual humility is the only way to start appreciating the multi-dimensional aspect of any useful piece of information.

Take feminism for example, there are people who rigidly support feminism and reject every other argument. Again lack of appreciating different views is the problem.

Can’t we just hold our views while having respect for others’ views without fighting it out on social media sites? Can’t we accept that there are multiple ways of looking at any given thing? Can’t we we be vulnerable of the worthiness of what we know?

The solution to all this comes down to having a patient ear for opposing views. Whenever you come across a different view than yours, the first thing you need to do is ask the other person to explain the logic behind their view. While what most of us actually do is to fight for defending our view right away.

Accept the fact that you can be wrong at what you think is right. I repeat, accept the fact that you can be wrong at what you think is right.

The only way to do this is by listening different views out and trying to indulge in healthy meaningful conversations. Conversation in which there is absolutely no space for swearing. Conversation which helps both individuals grow in knowledge.

Being an intellect is not enough. Garnish it with humility and you make the most delicious dessert for yourself and the society we all live it.

-ChoubeySahab