Inquiry: They should question their own opinions

They should question their own opinions.

Those who support policies not in their own interest: The poor in the US who favor policies (republican) that give more to the rich and less to themselves. Those in Norway who support FrP, a libertarian party hoping to destroy that which those very same people benefit from (social safety net, public ownership of certain industries etc.). The ones, mainly in the US, who oppose vaccinations even if they benefit hugely from living in a society where major diseases are eliminated or reduced because of vaccinations.

1. True?
   Yes. It feels true. I can find stories supporting it. I can find many others who agree.
2. Sure it is true?
   No. Just an opinion, coming from a certain (limited) worldview and perspective.
3. What happens when I take that story as true?
   • I make them wrong. I find and fuel stories saying they are wrong. I find – in my mind or life – allies, people who agree.
   • I tell myself they are gullible. They take on norms and beliefs that are clearly not in their own interest. In some cases, they take on norms and beliefs others – who benefit from it – want them to take on, and actively work for them to take on as their own. It is stupid. Misinformed. They become the advocates of views in the interest of those who already have more than enough. They actively support policies that harm not only themselves but many others as well.
   • (I also have stories of why they do it. It gives them a sense of being right, and of being aligned with the views of important people. They may support and place more importance some aspects of, for instance, the Republican view – morals is a good example – and get the destructive social and economic policies along with it. And that is exactly what those few who benefit from those policies want.)
   • When did I first have that thought? In middle school, when I first became aware of these dynamics and started seeing examples of it.
   • What do I fear would happen if I didn’t have this belief? That I would be less aware of this dynamic myself. How likely is that? It could happen. What is more likely? That I would continue to recognize it, especially in situations where I need to, where it is practically useful.
4. Who would I be without it?
   • Receptive. Curious. Curious about the dynamics. I would explore what appears as them taking on beliefs not in their own interest. I would be curious about why. Curious about why they don’t seem to question it. Curious about my own views on this. Where is my own view limited?
   • When I act on my views, it would be from more clarity and receptivity, and less from reactivity. It would be less muddled by reactivity.
5. Turnarounds.
   • They shouldn’t question their own opinions
     • If they don’t, they shouldn’t. Until they do. (As BK says.)
     • If they don’t, they may not be ready for it. Until they are, which could happen through someone – including me – pointing out how it looks from another perspective.
     • They may be in a phase where they act on certain beliefs, may or may not (yet) get the consequences of it, and do not yet question those beliefs. That is natural. We are all there, in different ways, in different areas of life.
     • It helps me notice and question my own beliefs about what is going on, find more clarity around it.
   • I should question my own opinions
     • Yes, that is more true. It doesn’t help to get caught up in beliefs around this. Clarity is usually more helpful.