It is not always easy to value the opinion of others because, before our own, we tend to give priority and greater truthfulness to what we think is right.
This makes us intransigent and refuses to analyze how others perceive reality; instead of enriching ourselves, this situation impoverishes us. One of the reasons we do this is because, although we are denied, we like to be right.
- However.
- In addition to an appointment in the article Relationship between two concepts: information.
- Knowledge and value.
- Similarities and differentials (Relationship between two concepts: information.
- Knowledge and value.
- Similarities and differences.
- In free translation).
- “One can only be just when there is a risk of getting it wrong.
- “.
In order to open our eyes to such a widespread attitude, today we will present a short story that will help us to value the opinions of others with the knowledge derived from their context. To do this, we invite you to read carefully.
Once upon a time six sages lived in a small village, all six were blind. One day, someone brought an elephant to the village, and in this situation, the six men looked for a way to know what an elephant looked like, because they couldn’t see it.
? One of them said so. Play!
? Good idea Then we’ll know what an elephant looks like.
Said and done. The first struck one of the elephant’s big ears. He touched it slowly, back and forth.
? Is the elephant a big fan? said the first sage
The second, feeling the elephant’s paws, exclaimed, “It’s like a tree!”
“Are you both wrong?” said the third sage, and after examining the elephant’s tail, exclaimed: The elephant is like a rope!
Soon after, the wise room that smelled of the animal’s prey, shouted, “Is the elephant like a spear!?
? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, he yelled the fifth. It’s like a high wall! (the fifth sage tested by touching the elephant’s back).
The sixth sage waited until the end and, holding the elephant’s trunk in his hand, said, “You’re wrong, the elephant is like a snake. “
? No, no, no, no, no, not like a rope
? Snake.
? A wall.
? Wrong.
? I’m right about that
? No!
The six men were exalted in an endless discussion for hours, disagreeing on what the elephant looked like.
What we can learn from this story is that to value the opinions of others, we must learn to listen. The six sages in the story ignored what their companions said, they only declared how they felt with their own hands. However, these were just guesswork.
After all, none of them have come close to the true image of what an elephant is like, although they have all strongly defended their opinion. This, which may seem so absurd, happens often.
They were certainly right in their perceptions. However, none corresponds to reality, moreover, none of them knew how to value the opinions of others.
How can this story help us? The next time you find yourself in a situation where you have a different opinion than the people around you, I suggest you try to analyze the situation based on your point of view.
To do this it is essential to listen, to ask if you do not understand something and also to express your own position.
This is not to say that others cannot be wrong, but we will learn to be aware that everyone perceives reality differently, each of which may be right.
In fact, as noted in the article The Search for Reality or Truth: An Approximation from Sociological Theory (
Influenced by our experiences, values and beliefs, our vision of reality can be very different from that of others. But does that mean there are some that are true and some that aren’t?The answer is no.
Therefore, valuing the opinions of others will allow us to enrich ourselves rather than impoverish ourselves by defending our own truth, which, as we have just seen in the tale of the elephant and the six wise men, probably is not. We think.
“The idea of truth is a mental interpretation of reality transmitted by the senses. [?] At the same time, we must remember that mental interpretation includes beliefs, values and, ultimately, conscience, because it can deceive us [?] By constructing a truth exclusive to ourselves? . – Josep Vidal-