“But I Could Be Wrong.”

How do you feel when you hear someone expressing a strong opinion about something, especially when you have an opposite viewpoint?

Do your defenses go up? Do you find yourself wanting to debate, to persuade the other person to a different point of view? Do you feel a little annoyed by their tone of certainty about a subject you know has many nuances? 

What if the person then said, reflectively, “But I could be wrong”?

We live in a time when many people seem so certain of their positions, and are unwilling to even entertain the possibility that “I could be wrong.”

How refreshing would it be if more of us would hold our opinions lightly, recognizing that “I could be wrong” and being receptive to more information that may change the mind?

Photo by Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / The National Library of Wales

It used to be (I’m old enough to remember) that in the media, journalists saw their job as inviting debate from a variety of viewpoints, so that people could become truly educated and make up their own minds.

Same was true in higher education. Being exposed to different viewpoints was the whole point of education. Not anymore.

When exactly all that went by the wayside, I’m not sure, but it’s been quite a while.

I love it when I hear someone in the media posit some viewpoint or prediction, and add, “But I could be wrong.” There’s a humility about that which I appreciate—all the more because it’s so rare.

Are you willing to admit that you could be wrong about something you have heretofore felt strongly about? Are you willing to entertain new information that may lead you to learn something new?

Or even, God forbid, change your mind?

This seems like a good time to be open to the possibility.

It might even bring peace where you didn’t think peace was possible.