Open-Minded Inquiry

Rhiannon Neufell

PHI 103 - Informal Logic

Instructor Elliot Crozat

April 21, 2014

Open-Minded Inquiry

Open-mindedness involves being willing to see both sides of the debate. It entails an ability to play Devil's advocate, if necessary, so that an informed decision can be made, or the issue can be fully understood and acted upon. Being open-minded is integral to the philosophical arts, as this field supports the pursuit of the truth and understanding, without bias. Without having an honest need to understand, there would have been no Renaissance, no Industrial Era. There would be no automobiles; no courts; no art, poetry, music. All of these things came about through the pursuit of learning how things work.

The most important attributes in maintaining an...