Hypocrite?

Stagnant

I'm a very laid back guy. I generally don't care what people do as long as they don't "hurt" others. Therefore, I consider myself to have a very open mind towards most things. Generally speaking I have a fear of two things the fear of death and a very mild fear of heights (it's intimidating but I don't let it hold me back). Yet I'm making plans with my friends to go sky diving this summer to "see what its like." Anyways, that was my attempt to show how carefree I am. An now more to the point...

One thing that I absolutely despise is ignorance, or at least peoples unwillingness to keep an open mind and/or try "new" things. I generally can argue out most "logical" thoughts in my head (my attempt at thorough reasoning), but I cannot reason with myself well enough to say that I'm not a hypocrite in this situation. So here is the breakdown...

I claim to have an "open mind."
Yet, I cannot accept people who think with"closed minds."
Therefore, I'm not "open minded."

It is not that I don't accept their opinions and views, I in fact enjoy hearing every side to a topic.

Am I wrong to feel disgusted with those kinds of people? What are your definitions for "open minded" and "close minded?" Any tips for me to get over this "embarrassing" view point on those people.

Preferably, I don't want to see "It depends on your definitions." Use your own and go from there.

Thanks/
 
hello Exclamation point,
I can understand your point and I must say there is no wrong or right, you feel disgusted by these kind of people because they are not of your own kind(open minded, intelligent).
I think most to all intelligent people want to be recognized for their intelligence, which closed minds will never reward you with.
In my opinion this is a normal human behavior, and there is not much you can do to ''get over'' this; you can't change your ''base code'', though you can define rationally how to interpret the latter.
An example would be: I have a predominant desire to gain respect and dominate, I could bully some younger kids or play chess and be the best chess player in history. Both would accomplish my desire. It depends entirely of the level of intelligence you have, intelligent people are looking for a mental challenge.. well now it's getting off topic lol
but I wanted to say that actually it is up to you to find a new point of view over these kind of people, and you want this to define yourself as open minded I presume, so go ahead :D
 
Huh, interesting observation. I myself can't stand ignorant to the point of pride people. This includes those that think "I don't know the other side, and I don't give a damn". This does NOT include those that think, "I don't know. ... After giving it some serious thought, I still don't give a damn".

I still think of myself as open-minded. I believe that so long as you try and know why someone is "close-minded" you can still empathize to a point. Once you can do that, it's harder to not be closed-minded. You may never agree. You may hate their guts, but oh well. 6+ billion people in the world, it's gotta happen more than once.

I suppose that the bottom line is: if you're that worried about being closed minded, you're probably fine. Once you dismiss it, then you need to worry.
[/my two cents]

EDIT: Chii, you said you can't change your "base code". I disagree. If you actions are really that dispicable TO YOU, then you can change it. If, however, you're only displeased with yourself, then there's probably no helping that lack of motivation. So Exclamation point, I guess it doesn't matter if you're openminded or now. It only matter if you think you are. If you do, and you don't like it, try changing. (Ex. Whenever you think someone is close minded, try to think of a reason for that. Maybe they have looked at the other options - how would you know?)
 
There is a difference between being closed-minded, in the sense of refusing to respond to logic or address rational concerns, and being certain and refusing to compromise. The first is stupid and annoying, while I would argue that the second essential if we are to live as autonomous moral beings.

As to your first quadrany, it really depend on what "try new things" means. If you mean that you are annoyed when people refuse to consider another logical perspective, I would consider you entirely justified. On the other hand, if you are in essence demanding that they drop whatever judgement they may have reached and experience something with regards to which they have rational concerns you have not addressed, I would say that you are in error.

For the second issue, you appear to have come to the conclusion that those who are unwilling to consider any aspects of an issue which are not in allignment to their beliefs are unnacceptable to you. Having a conclusion is not being closedminded. Rather, the test of the "openness" of you mind on this issue would be how willing you are to listen to someone who presents reasons as to why they might be worthwhile people after all. All it takes is to entertain their ideas, without neccessarily agreeing with them, to be open minded. Although in my opinion it woud have to be a very strong argument, since irresponsiveness to logic demotes someone to the status of of mosquito to me.
 
Before I respond I want to ask what your definition of open-minded means. For many people, open-minded means accepting new ideas. However, I call that gullibility. I believe that one should be skeptical of certain claims, but be willing to accept them if evidence if provided. Accepting new ideas is not open-mindedness, but being willingto accept new ideas is.

For example: Imagine your friend tells you that your mother has died. A gullible person will believe it right away, until shown evidence that disproves it.

An open-minded person will question the claim, but will accept it if you are able to back it up with evidence.

A close-minded person will not accept it, even if shown an overwhelming amount of evidence.

Sadly many people confuse open-mindedness with gullibility, and close-mindedness with skepticism.
 
your fears are unwarranted honestly

if, for example, you strive to not judge a book by its cover you're not a hypocrite for not wanting to associate yourself with a neo-nazi. being intolerant of intolerance isn't real hypocrisy.
 
Exclamation Point said:
I claim to have an "open mind."
Yet, I cannot accept people who think with"closed minds."
Therefore, I'm not "open minded."
Click to expand...

I think there's a difference between "being open minded" and "liking everyone regardless of who they are". You can not like something and still be open minded about new ideas. This juts happens to be an old idea you can't stand.
 
While the ignorants are free to believe what they want to believe and say what they want to say, this does not validate their opinions. Being open minded, you can rationalise things from their perspective, but you also understand that their position is flawed. Therefore, you are not opposed to their beliefs because you disagree with them, but because they are wrong. There is no hypocrisy here.
 
Open minded and closed minded are subjective.

I consider myself open minded, but others might not. (e.g. I'm religious, which makes me closed minded immediately, apparently).

I think you're fine in the sense of not liking closed minded people. You say you don't like them, but the fact that you listen to their opinions are more than enough.
 
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