Dear PiePie,
Came across a video that attempted to define beliefs and values – beliefs being what you believe to be true, and values being what you believe to be important (while presumably being also true). Most importantly, our beliefs doesn’t have to define us and we need not attach ego to our beliefs. I thought it was an interesting lens to thinking about right and wrong.
What we believe to be true about the world, even if we are almost dead certain of it, is not who we are. It is simply a fact of the world that we believe in, and which we might possibly change our mind about if presented with compelling evidence – although, do beware of ‘evidence’ in the age of AI.
Basing your sense of self on your beliefs – on what you believe to be true – can make being ‘wrong’ a major threat to your identity. And this results in a more tightly held viewpoint than is possibly sound when actually, the disproving of a belief doesn’t have to threaten your sense of self. It’s ok to have had a belief that turns out to be untrue! What’s important is having the openness to allow yourself to find out what right is, than being right.
I believe the Earth to be round, and while I think it is unlikely someone will convince me otherwise, I hope I have the openness to be open to contra-viewpoints should that day come. More importantly, that there are such discussions and challenges to my viewpoints should not cause me to lose my sense of self.
I thought this might be an important food for thought as, young as you are, your beliefs are still being formed and may come under challenge from time to time. And it might occasionally be painful to have a core belief torn down, but I’m here to say that that’s ok. That’s growth. We iterate and we move ahead. You got this.
Love, Dad