Hobgoblin of Little Minds

[DISCLAIMER]

In my younger years, I lacked the wisdom to understand that the knowledge I assumed wasn’t true or subject to change. Worse still, I irrationally maintained that anyone who challenged my beliefs about what I thought I knew was issuing a direct challenge to me as a person.

For example, a once longtime friend of mine, since high school (“Matilda”), informed me decades after the event of how I self-disturbed when she quipped about my religious beliefs. Although I couldn’t later recall the incident, I didn’t doubt that it occurred.

“Oh, I forgot,” Matilda apparently said at the time, “you Churches of Christ members are the only ones going to Heaven.” Per her account, Matilda said that I immediately stopped talking, stood up, and exited her home. I didn’t even give her a reason for my self-disturbed reaction.

Even though I still can’t remember that event, my reportedly unproductive response is precisely how I used to deal with perceived challenges to my illogical and unreasonable beliefs which were mistaken as my personhood. When thinking about this topic, I’m reminded of a book.

As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

The authors quote Marcus Aurelius who stated, “If anyone can prove and show to me that I think and act in error, I will gladly change it—for I seek the truth, by which no one has ever been harmed. The one who is harmed is the one who abides in deceit and ignorance” (page 133).

“Deceit” is defined as the act of causing someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid. “Ignorance” is defined as lacking knowledge, education, or awareness. Unlike Aurelius’s helpful approach to rational living, I once abided in deceit and ignorance.

Long since the event regarding Matilda, I’ve abandoned dogmatic beliefs concerning religiosity. As well, I now seek to discover what views of mine are wrong and how my beliefs hamper me. Regarding this method of living, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 133):

Someone once attempted to argue with the philosopher Cicero by quoting something he had said or written. This person claimed Cicero was saying one thing now but had believed something different in the past.

His response: “I live from one day to the next! If something strikes me as probable, I say it; and that is how, unlike everyone else, I remain a free agent.”

Cicero was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, orator, writer, and Academic skeptic. I add this detail, because I’ve observed political trends over the past decades whereby those who change their minds are accused of flip-flopping (suddenly reversing beliefs).

For instance, politician X once maintained belief Y. With policy predicated on this belief, action was taken. Then, later in life, politician X adopted belief Z. Different action then resulted. People then use an ad hominem attack by claiming that politician X has flip-flopped on the matter.

For a pragmatic example, consider former United States President Barack Obama’s stance on gay marriage. Addressing this matter, a 2012 source reported:

Since stepping on to the national stage in 2004 when he ran for the Senate in Illinois, Barack Obama has shifted his views on whether same-sex couples should have the legal right to marry. “My feelings about this are constantly evolving,” Obama said about same-sex marriage in December of 2010.

There was once a time that I maintained an anti-gay stance on marriage, similar to Obama. Nevertheless, Cicero, Obama, and I are able to change our minds. Can you imagine never changing your beliefs? Regarding this matter, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 133):

No one should be ashamed at changing his mind—that’s what the mind is for. “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds,” Emerson said, “adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.”

That’s why we go to such lengths to learn and expose ourselves to wisdom. It would be embarrassing if we didn’t end up finding out if we were wrong in the past.

Photo credit, fair use

It’s a matter of hobgoblin-esque hubris (exaggerated pride or self-confidence) to maintain that you’re always (or even mostly) right and never (or even rarely) wrong. When holding that view, you’d be wrong! Putting a final point on this issue, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 133):

Remember: you’re a free agent. When someone points out a legitimate flaw in your belief or in your actions, they’re not criticizing you. They’re presenting a better alternative. Accept it!

I invite you to take a moment and reconsider something I expressed earlier. Specifically, I stated, “I now seek to discover what views of mine are wrong and how my beliefs hamper me.” Do you notice how I communicated that my “views” and “beliefs” may hamper me?

I intentionally separated myself from the process of my mind (i.e., views, beliefs, etc.). This small, though relevant, distinction has allowed me not to self-disturb when someone challenges my worldview, as Matilda once did. Now, you can apply this distinction to your circumstances.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

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