Numerous factors throughout our life have shaped the intricate landscape that is the human mind. We are impacted by our surroundings, education, upbringing, culture, and other people since we are young children. These factors shape our presumptions and worldviews, creating a framework for how we see and engage with the outside world. Although these frameworks might offer direction and structure, they can also turn into a cage that prevents us from developing further. Unfortunately, a lot of people choose to embrace their views as unquestionable facts and are unconscious of the invisible barriers that enclose them.

Assumptions: What we commonly take for granted about the world, ourselves, and other people are our assumptions. They serve as the filters through which we understand our experiences, and they have the potential to be both liberating and limiting.

Belief system: Broader frameworks made up of connected presumptions are called belief systems. They can include personal, political, cultural, and religious beliefs. These systems provide solutions to the big issues of life as well as a sense of identity and community. Rigidly held beliefs, however, can lead to a limited viewpoint and lead people to reject novel concepts or life events that contradict their worldview.

Our presumptions and belief systems are greatly influenced by our upbringing and education. Children take up the values, customs, and beliefs of their families and communities from a young age. Their own prejudices and ideas are transmitted by parents and other carers, who are frequently the first to set an example for their children. By elevating some ideologies, histories, and modes of thought—often at the expense of others—educational systems serve to further solidify these views.

A youngster reared in a progressive setting, on the other hand, might be inspired to challenge authority and pursue innovation, whereas a child raised in a conservative home would be taught to appreciate tradition and oppose change. Both kids form belief systems that will influence their choices and interactions in the future. These belief systems, meanwhile, can potentially become confining if kids aren’t encouraged to consider viewpoints from other contexts.

The comfort that comes with holding onto presumptions and belief systems is one of the reasons people do so. In an unpredictable world, the familiar provides a sense of security and confidence. It might be difficult to challenge these ideas because it can cause feelings of uncertainty and uneasiness. Even when confronted with information that contradicts their beliefs, people are frequently discouraged from challenging them because of this discomfort.

Unquestioned ideas pose a risk since they have the power to impede our knowledge and development. We shut ourselves off to fresh perspectives and encounters when we take our presumptions and beliefs to be unchangeable facts. This emotional and intellectual stagnation can impede human development and result in a rigid and constrained viewpoint.

For instance, someone who thinks that members of a certain culture are intrinsically inferior could never take the time to become aware of the rich heritage and accomplishments of that culture. This idea not only restricts one’s comprehension but also feeds negative preconceptions and stereotypes. In a similar vein, someone who thinks that failing is a sign of personal inferiority might shy away from taking chances and lose out on chances for development and success.

Breaking Free:

The ability to critically think is ultimately what will allow us to break free from the prison of our presumptions and belief systems. Being curious and sceptical about our ideas allows us to approach them with an open mind, ready to change or reject them in the face of fresh information. By holding your convictions lightly and remaining receptive to growth and change, you do not have to reject all ideas completely.

The capacity to change and adapt is essential in a world that is changing quickly.

Many of us live in a self-imposed prison of presumptions and belief systems that we accept without inquiry. But we can escape the bounds of our own brains if we recognise these limitations and take proactive measures to overcome them. It takes bravery, curiosity, and an openness to embrace ambiguity to go on this trip.

This allows us to see the world and our place in it from a richer, more nuanced viewpoint. Rather of allowing our beliefs to control us, let’s strive to become researchers of the vast domain of human experience.