In Praise of Being Wrong

[Bravus]

I don't mean 'doing wrong' - that always results in some sort of hurt for someone. But occassionally being wrong about some matter of fact or opinion, and being able to recognise that, acknowledge it, apologise and move on, seems to me to be a healthy way to be. Those who are never wrong - or who at least are unable to ever recognise and concede that they are - place themselves in a situation where it's not easy to communicate with them. We all, and probably I most of all, need more discernment, and a Christ-like perspective on the world to recognise our biases and prejudices... and I think sometimes that'll include showing us that we're wrong.

[Jeannieb43]

What a great way of presenting that idea, Bravus!

Thanks.

And Happy New Year!

[Nicodema]

We can also thank God for it because it gives us an opportunity to learn.

[lazarus]

I've been thinking about what you have said ever since you posted it.

I have to come to the conclusion that in the past 20 years that I have never been wrong!

My Wife said that to me the day before she left! So there!

[Dr. Shane]

Funny, my wife tells me the same thing.

[Naomi]

I was wrong one time. <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I thought I was wrong, when actually I was not wrong. However, I was wrong because I thought I was wrong. <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/tomato.gif" alt="" />

[Nicodema]

That's just wrong!

[jasd]

>>But occassionally being wrong about some matter of fact or opinion, and being able to recognise that, acknowledge it, apologise and move on, seems to me to be a healthy way to be.<<

Why am I put to mind…?

“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.” --MAntony

Absolutely, demonstrable wrong ought to have its bearings recalibrated, and with alacrity; that said, I do think most tend to reevaluate a position held to be demonstrably wrong. However, there is much “wrong” that is attributed only by the simple opine, which opine often seems cultivated by the very biases and prejudices it seeks to attach to another’s view(s). Having said that,

aside from egregious behaviour and addressing “facts and opinions” only…, how does one arrive at the particular ‘wrong(s)’ that shoulda mebbe oughta best be remedied by an apology?

In a dynamic exchange, ‘wrong’ is often used to arrive at its opposite. There is often advertently interjected into that dynamic the wrong or the incorrect (to best stimulate or direct dialog -- being but a couple of reasons), the question of ‘wrong’ not necessarily obtaining. It is common that

a dialog not vigorously engaged will default to, sometimes, mere wrong; then again,

it may sometimes default to the absolutely profound; right, wrong, and fact being but constituent footnotes.

(Whilst in Santa Monica, CA I had as acquaintance and confidante a woman who printed the Rand Corp’s material. That being so,

I became aware of a seldom practice of the Corp, that is, the selecting of ‘individuals with expertise’ and informing them on the QT of ‘news’ that so-and-so or such-and-such had experienced a ‘break-through’ in what was hitherto thought impossible in the world of science. The selected individuals were tasked to, together, attempt duplicating the break-through. Isolated, the team, often did duplicate what had been previously --a false assertion, turning both wrong and falsity on their collective ear.)

Again, I suggest that, more often than not, inherent biases and/or prejudices manage to insert themselves into assessment of another’s views. That being said,

let’s extend the matter to a forum as example: Sometimes, a forum best provides a format whereby posits may be made as points/counterpoints rather than the more serious thesis, essay, or other developed paper. Given the limitations,

severely edited texts best suit the forum, and it may be that the matter of rightness or wrongness matters less than one might otherwise think.

Say what!? --Pogo

[Nicodema]

I wonder if admitting we have been wrong about something (e.g. a theory, idea, conclusion, or whatever) is difficult because we fear it might affect our future credibility? Or because we fear we will sound so foolish that no one (we imagine) would ever take us seriously again when we have something to say?

Just some thoughts ...

[Bravus]

jasd - points well made, and taken... I think I meant self-recognised wrongness, rather than other-diagnosed: as you note, such matters are more likely to be in the realm of opinion. It's when I'm wiling to recognised my *own* errors that I'm ready to grow.

[Gerr]

There's nothing praiseworthy about being wrong. Admitting one's error when shown to be wrong, now, that's praiseworthy indeed!

Gerry

[Bravus]

Exactement... it's what I meant, but it may not be what I said! Part of my point, though, was that some seem never to arrive at the happy state you describe. I guess it *could* be because they're actually never wrong...