Why be open-minded when you could be right?

In Adam Grant’s (awesome) book on self-delusion (Think Again), he says:

“Thinking like a scientist means being actively open-minded.”

But why be open-minded when you could be Right?

Being actively open-minded means looking for reasons why we might be wrong instead of reasons for why we must be right.

This morning I interviewed conflict resolution specialist Henry Yampolsky (author of Dis-solving Conflict From Within) and got the same teaching in a totally different sphere: human relationships.

  1. Here’s what it means to follow Grant’s advice:

Imagine you’re a big believer in the minimum wage. It’s always been one of your talking points and something you’ve benefited from in the past.

Yesterday you argued with your brother about it. He claimed having a minimum wage causes inflation and actually doesn’t end up helping anyone.

First, you say: “Typical libertarian trickle-down bullshit.”

Next, you decide to shut him FOR GOOD with a good ol’ paper he’ll never read.

(Just like you wouldn’t read the paper he sent you…)

What should you type into the search box on tiktok in your browser?

  1. Studies showing the benefits of the minimum wage
  2. How the minimum wage is good for working people
  3. Evidence for the minimum wage
  4. Meta-analysis of long-term effects of minimum wage policies

The answer, if you want to follow Grant’s advice, should be obvious.

Only one of those searches admits the inquiry:

“Why might I be wrong about this?”

(BTW I searched for #4 and learned the major concern with the minimum wage is when it will affect unemployment, not inflation…)

  1. And here’s an example from Yampolsky:

Your sister has been living with you for 6 weeks. Last Friday she suddenly left dinner and drove away. You have no idea what happened and are upset (I get it!).

Assuming you’re over the name-calling phase, what’s the most constructive thing you could say:

“Last Friday at dinner,

  1. I felt really disrespected when you left in a huff.”
  2. When you left the room, I got very uncomfortable.”
  3. I noticed you suddenly left. What was your experience of that moment?”
  4. Jesus, Henrietta, like, WTF!????

Similarly but more subtly, even the well-crafted #2 assumes you know enough about the situation to speak.

-> Shoot first and ask questions later ≠ Actively open-minded <-

Only option #3 legitimately acknowledges we might have the story totally wrong.

Tricky, isn’t it?