Do philosophy with an open mind

At its core, philosophy is a quest for wisdom that encourages profound reflection on existence, knowledge, ethics, values, and the nature of reality. However, the way we approach philosophy significantly influences what we discover through it. Too often, philosophical inquiry is constrained by entrenched mentalities – tribal identities, religious doctrines, or staunch theist or atheist convictions. These lenses, while powerful in shaping individual and collective identities, can limit philosophical openness by framing ideas within narrow boundaries of acceptance or rejection. To genuinely engage with philosophy, one must move beyond these inherited mental constructs and cultivate an open mind that welcomes inquiry free from dogmatic allegiance.
Tribal mentality, deeply rooted in social identity and group cohesion, tends to prioritize allegiance to collective beliefs over critical examination. When philosophy is practiced within a tribal context, it risks becoming a vehicle for reinforcing the group’s worldview rather than questioning it. This mentality can foster intellectual echo chambers, where ideas are accepted or dismissed primarily based on their alignment with the tribe’s values. Philosophy, in contrast, demands a willingness to transcend these boundaries, allowing ideas to be evaluated on their intrinsic merit rather than their source. The thinker must resist the comfort of tribal conformity and instead embrace a mindset of curiosity and openness.
Similarly, approaching philosophy strictly through religious or theist perspectives can impose rigid frameworks that limit exploration. Religious doctrines often come with prescribed truths and moral absolutes that may discourage doubt or alternative interpretations. While religion can inspire profound philosophical reflection, adhering too closely to any particular dogma risks closing the door to broader inquiry. Philosophy’s strength lies in its capacity to entertain diverse possibilities and questions, including those that challenge established beliefs. An open-minded philosophical approach recognizes the value of religious thought but remains open to critique and re-evaluation, allowing for a richer and more nuanced understanding.
On the opposite spectrum, practicing philosophy exclusively through an atheist lens can also impose constraints. Atheism, especially in its militant or dogmatic forms, may dismiss metaphysical or spiritual perspectives outright, thereby limiting the scope of inquiry. Philosophy, when reduced to materialist or strictly scientific frameworks, can overlook questions of meaning, purpose, and transcendence that remain vital to human experience. Open-minded philosophy invites dialogue across all perspectives, not to endorse or reject any particular view prematurely but to explore their insights and limitations. It encourages a suspension of certainty that enables genuine wonder and discovery.
The call to “do philosophy with an open mind” is a call to intellectual humility and freedom. It demands that philosophers recognize their own biases and mental conditioning while actively setting them aside to engage ideas on fresh terms. This openness allows for the possibility of transformation, not only in our understanding of the world but also in how we understand ourselves. Rather than defending fixed positions, an open-minded philosopher embraces complexity, paradox, and the unknown. This willingness to engage the unfamiliar fosters creative thinking and paves the way for new insights that transcend the boundaries of traditional mentalities.
Ultimately, philosophy practiced with an open mind, free from tribal, religious, theist, or atheist constraints, becomes a living dialogue with existence itself. It becomes a dynamic and evolving process that challenges assumptions, explores the depths of human experience, and seeks meaning beyond inherited frameworks. This approach nurtures wisdom not as a static body of knowledge but as a continual journey of discovery. By doing philosophy in this spirit, we open ourselves to the fullness of thought and the wonder of ideas, allowing philosophy to fulfill its highest purpose: to expand the horizons of human understanding and enrich the soul.
Dr. Avothung Ezung
Post-Doctoral Fellow (ICPR) Dept. of Philosophy
NEHU, Shillong