Open-mindedness

Open-mindedness is receptiveness to new ideas. Open-mindedness relates to the way in which people approach the views and knowledge of others.^[1] Jason Baehr defines an open-minded person as one who "characteristically moves beyond or temporarily sets aside his own doxastic commitments in order to give a fair and impartial hearing to the intellectual opposition".^[2] Jack Kwong's definition sees open-mindedness as the "willingness to take a novel viewpoint seriously".^[3]

According to Wayne Riggs, open-mindedness springs from an awareness of the inherent fallibility of one's beliefs; hence, open-minded individuals are more inclined to listen to, and seriously consider, alternative viewpoints.^[4]

There are various scales for the measurement of open-mindedness.^[5] Harding and Hare argued that schools should emphasize open-mindedness more than relativism in their science instruction, because the scientific community does not embrace a relativistic way of thinking.^[6]

Among other things, the critical attitude^{[clarification needed]} involves an open-minded outlook with respect to one's beliefs.^[7]

Open-mindedness is generally considered^{[by whom?]} an important personal attribute for effective participation in management teams and other groups.^{[citation needed]} Open-mindedness is usually encouraged^{[by whom?]} in group settings, within different cultures and new environments.^{[8][need quotation to verify]}

According to David DiSalvo, closed-mindedness, or an unwillingness to consider new ideas, can result from the brain's natural dislike for ambiguity. According to this view, the brain has a "search and destroy" relationship with ambiguity and evidence contradictory to people's current beliefs tends to make them uncomfortable by introducing such ambiguity.^[9] Research confirms that belief-discrepant-closed-minded persons have less tolerance for cognitive inconsistency.^[10]

Virtues contrasting with open-mindedness include steadfastness, loyalty, and fundamentalism.