Curiosity

Dogmatism is being sure of being right. Dogmatism is black and white thinking. Dogmatism is digging in one’s heels on a certain opinion or way of doing things. Dogmatism is a lack of open-mindedness or willingness to consider other perspectives. Dogmatism is born of Narcissism. Learning to recognize the three types of narcissism and their hallmark punishments will help us to avoid dogmatism.

We must learn to move away from dogmatism and toward curiosity. Curiosity is the desire to learn from what is outside ourselves and to understand different perspectives. It is essential for open-minded and respectful communication. When we are curious, we are more likely to be open to learning how to coordinate shared actions.

  • The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.

    Albert Einstein

  • It is of great value to realize that we do not know the answers to different questions. This attitude of mind - this attitude of uncertainty - is vital to the scientist, and it is this attitude of mind which the student must first acquire.

    Richard P. Feynman

  • Each piece, or part, of the whole of nature is always merely an approximation to the complete truth…. In fact, everything we know is only some kind of approximation, because we know that we do not know all the laws as yet. Therefore, things must be learned only to be unlearned again or, more likely, to be corrected…

    Richard P. Feynman

  • In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few.

    Shunryu Suzuki

  • I do not accept any absolute formulas for living…As we live, we grow and our beliefs change. They must change. So I think we should live with this constant discovery. We should be open to this adventure in heightened awareness of living. We should stake our whole existence on our willingness to explore and experience.

    Martin Buber

  • Asking the proper question is the central action of transformation… The key question causes germination of consciousness. The properly shaped question always emanates from an essential curiosity about what stands behind. Questions are the keys that cause the secret doors of the psyche to swing open.

    Clarissa Pinkola Estés

  • There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.

    Aldous Huxley

  • The most underrated tool of persuasion is curiosity. A natural response to disagreement is to attack what people think. And more inviting alternative is to be genuinely fascinated by how they think. Curiosity is contagious. When advocacy closes minds, inquiry can open them.

    Adam Grant

  • In cultures of arrogance, people get rewarded for expressing certainty and conviction. The most confident speaker claims the most status. In cultures of humility, people are applauded for admitting ignorance and asking questions. The most complex thinker earns the most respect.

    Adam Grant

  • For things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them.

    Thich Nhat Hanh

  • Attachment to views is the greatest impediment to the spiritual path.

    Thich Nhat Hanh

  • The first duty of love is to listen

    Paul Tillich

  • Try to let go of the idea that your view is the only true reality.

    Julie Menanno (the secure relationship)