We’ve all noticed it, the world seems to be more divided than ever. People cling to their beliefs with unyielding certainty, as if holding on to a log in the middle of the ocean. This isn’t a sign of strength; it’s a form of intellectual stagnation that prevents growth and stifles progress. The phrase 'strong opinions, loosely held,' often attributed to Jeff Bezos, captures a mindset essential for navigating turbulent times. Despite not being a morality guru, Bezos offers wisdom in recognizing the value of this approach. It suggests holding beliefs confidently while being open to change when presented with new points of view or evidence, it might seem obvious to you, yet, this openness is sorely missing across many spheres of life, from the business life, to political and social discourse. The failure to recognize the importance of this mindset is not just a personal shortcoming—it is a societal threat.

The Dangers of Rigid Conviction

Rigid thinking is so pervasive nowadays, particularly in environments where adaptability and innovation should be paramount. Take the tech industry as an example, something I’ve witnessed firsthand, where it’s so disheartening to see young engineers, and aspiring founders, who should be the embodiment of innovation and foresight, resisting to change and clinging stubbornly to their first ideas. This inflexibility contradicts the very principles of scientific inquiry, which is based on the continual testing, questioning, and revising of hypotheses, always supported by measured evidence. Instead of embracing the iterative nature of problem-solving, in some cases, engineers treat their initial solutions as sacrosanct, stifling their own innovation and progress.

This kind of rigidity is not limited to tech though. Studies show that extreme political beliefs, whether on the left or right, predict a higher degree of dogmatic intolerance—a refusal to consider differing ideological perspectives (van Prooijen & Krouwel, 2017) . This dogmatism fosters a culture where differing opinions are not seen as opportunities for learning but as threats that must be defeated. Such an approach does not just stall personal growth; it undermines democratic discourse and societal progress, and this is one of the places where it seems more evident around the world, Left vs Right, Liberals vs Conservatives, Capitalists vs Socialists, Religious folk vs Atheist, the list seems infinite.

The Power of Flexibility

True strength lies in the ability to hold strong convictions while remaining open to new information and perspectives. In the scientific community, this approach is the foundation of progress. Scientific theories are considered provisional—valid only until new evidence suggests otherwise. The strength of science is its commitment to this process of continual questioning and refinement. This same principle can and should apply to other areas of life, including politics and personal beliefs.

Political gridlock is a direct result of rigid, unyielding ideologies. Rather than engaging in constructive debate and seeking common ground, political leaders often resort to digging in their heels, treating every issue as a battle to be won rather than a problem to be solved. This has led to a political climate where compromise is rare, pandering to the edges is the norm, and progress is stalled.

The importance of flexibility is further underscored by a study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers found that individuals with open-minded attitudes were more likely to adhere to public health guidelines and reject conspiracy theories, while those with rigid beliefs were more likely to embrace misinformation (Pärnamets et al., 2022).

the study suggests that an open-minded, flexible approach is not only beneficial for personal growth but is also crucial for collective well-being, especially during crises. I’m still shocked by the extreme reactions of many scientists, engineers, and doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were people suggesting alternative treatments that were actually harmful, but the solution is not censoring, rather, opening spaces for debate and continuous education from verified sources, not witch-hunts, canceling people for questioning, everything should be able to be held up to questioning.

The Role of Humility in Global Contexts

The value of intellectual humility is further highlighted in global mobility contexts, as shown in the study "Bringing Humility to Global Mobility" by Sylvia Freitas Mello. The study emphasizes that humility is a critical attribute for expatriates who need to adapt successfully to international assignments. Humility fosters connections, builds trust, and facilitates long-term relationships—all qualities essential for adapting to diferent environments. Humility and flexibility are vital in diverse and polarized contexts.

The research identifies three key dimensions of humility that are particularly relevant for successful adaptation:

• Self-Awareness: Understanding one's strengths and limitations is crucial. Where one must be aware of their own potential for error.

• Appreciation of Others: Recognizing the value and contributions of others fosters an environment where different ideas can be considered, discussed, and integrated.

• Teachability: A willingness to learn and adapt based on new information is essential for both personal growth and effective problem-solving.

These dimensions of humility echo the core principles of maintaining strong yet flexible opinions, emphasizing that being open to learning from others and acknowledging one's limitations is crucial for growth and adaptation.

The Absurdity of Identity-Based Fanaticism

Fanaticism—whether about religion, politics, or national identity—is one of the most extreme forms of rigid thinking. It demands absolute loyalty and the resulting echo chambers reject any form of questioning or dissent. This kind of mentality defeats the essence of critical thinking, which relies on the ability to challenge one’s own beliefs and consider alternative viewpoints.

Religious extremism, for instance, often relies on strict adherence to doctrine, dismissing any evidence that contradicts established beliefs. Similarly, extreme political partisanship turns debates into battles, where the goal is not to understand the opposing view but to obliterate it. Even nationalism can become a form of fanaticism when it turns into blind patriotism, rejecting any criticism of one’s country as unpatriotic.

These forms of dogmatism are intellectually limiting and socially divisive. They reduce complex realities to simplistic, binary, childish and often erroneous dogmas and prevent meaningful dialogue. Research indicates that individuals at both ends of the political spectrum—extreme left and extreme right—are more likely to exhibit dogmatic intolerance than moderates, whatever that means nowadays (van Prooijen & Krouwel, 2017) . Such intolerance is a barrier to the kind of open, critical dialogue needed to address today’s complex issues.

Embracing Intellectual Humility

The antidote to rigid thinking is intellectual humility—the understanding that one's current beliefs may be flawed or incomplete and that being wrong is not a blasphemy but an opportunity to learn. This mindset encourages growth, innovation, and better decision-making. It fosters an environment where ideas can be challenged, debated, and improved. Rather than fearing being wrong, intellectually humble individuals see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

In organizational settings, a lack of humility can act as a significant roadblock, especially in global contexts. The study by Mello highlights that rigid thinking and an inability to adapt often lead to failures in international assignments. This mirrors the broader societal issue: inflexible thinking stifles innovation and hampers progress. Conversely, humility and adaptability are shown to enhance collaborative efforts and mitigate conflicts, making them crucial attributes for anyone navigating complex, multicultural environments.

Certainty

By now I hope it’s clear, the real problem isn’t having strong opinions; it’s the unyielding certainty with which they are held. Certainty is often mistaken for confidence, but it is actually its antithesis. True confidence comes from the ability to engage with new ideas and test one’s beliefs against new evidence. Certainty, on the other hand, is fragile. It avoids challenge, fearing change and perceiving it as a threat rather than an opportunity.

Dogmatic certainty leads to intellectual stagnation.

The challenge we face is not a lack of strong opinions, just open twitter (now x.com), but a lack of flexibility. A society that refuses to adapt and reconsider is one destined for stagnation. To thrive, we must foster a culture that values both conviction and adaptability. We must recognize that true intelligence lies not in stubbornness but in the willingness to learn and evolve.

In this hectic era, the greatest strength one can have is not unyielding certainty but the courage to stay open to new ideas and perspectives. Adopt strong opinions, but hold them like you hold a butterfly, let it land on you, acknowledge it, and when it’s time, let it fly away.

The future belongs to those willing to learn, unlearn, and relearn. In a light-speed world of constant change, adaptability is not just beneficial—it’s essential. It’s time to abandon the fear of being wrong and embrace the strength that comes from intellectual humility. By holding our opinions loosely and remaining open to new evidence, we can better navigate the complexities of the modern world and build a more thoughtful, innovative, and inclusive society, and just be plain old happy.

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References

Pärnamets, P., Saviolidis, N. M., Reinero, D. A., Van Bavel, J. J., & Bavelas, J. B. (2022). Open-mindedness, conspiracy beliefs, and support for public health measures: Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic. Social Psychological and Personality Science. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506221094198

van Prooijen, J. W., & Krouwel, A. P. M. (2017). Extreme political beliefs predict dogmatic intolerance. Social Psychological & Personality Science, 8(3), 292-300. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550616671403

Mello, S. F. (2022). Bringing Humility to Global Mobility. Journal of Global Mobility.