Can We Foster Open-Mindedness in a Polarized Society?

Without Falling into Uncritical Thinking

In my latest article on critical thinking, which went exceptionally well, by the way, with 2.4 million views and counting, it was astonishing to see once again how polarized our society has become.

From political to cultural to social issues, we are deeply divided.

Of course, this observation isn’t unique only to me. A recent Pew Research Center study revealed that 76% of Americans believe political division today is greater than it was 20 years ago. The result? Genuine dialogue has become nearly impossible. In the past, regardless of differing beliefs, we could sit together, discuss issues civilly, and even enjoy the process—depending on the country, of course. In Greece, for instance, we might shout and argue loudly but still have fun and forget about it afterward. Back then, we had the ability to bridge divides, even when we held opposing views.

In recent years, however, polarization has intensified globally, with political, cultural, and ideological divides becoming more entrenched. A major driver of this shift in the past decade has been social media. Algorithms amplify echo chambers, exposing people primarily to opinions that align with their own, while mainstream media often frames issues in ways that deepen divisions. I’ve become increasingly aware of this, making an effort to visit pages with opposing views to understand how others perceive today’s reality. Yet, even then, the polarization and distortion of truth are evident, reinforcing the challenge of bridging these gaps.

This growing polarization has led to a breakdown in dialogue, fostering an "us versus them" mentality that benefits no one except those seeking to control the "herd."

The result? Social tension has escalated, trust in institutions has eroded, and collaboration on critical issues has become nearly impossible. That’s why open-mindedness is essential—a pathway to mutual understanding and progress.

But not the kind of open-mindedness some try to promote.

So, let’s delve into what real open-mindedness entails!

What is Open-Mindedness?

illustration of cloud getting out of a mannequin open head, surreal abstract concept (Adobe Stock / By fran_kie)

We need to start by being clear on the definition, otherwise we risk confusing open-mindedness with open-mindlessness. Open-mindedness is the willingness to consider—and I emphasize consider, not follow—different perspectives, ideas, or viewpoints without rushing to judgment. This requires setting aside personal biases or preconceived notions and making a genuine effort to explore and understand alternative opinions or experiences fully.

Let’s be clear about what open-mindedness is NOT.

Being open-minded does not mean abandoning your own values or beliefs. It’s about having the willingness to listen, consider, and engage with different perspectives without feeling threatened or defensive.

It’s not about blindly accepting or adopting every idea you encounter or chasing whatever happens to be trendy—you know exactly what I mean.

Another common misconception is that open-mindedness equates to indecisiveness or a lack of strong convictions. That’s far from the truth. Being open-minded doesn’t mean you can’t hold firm beliefs; it means you’re open to reassessing them when presented with new evidence or compelling arguments.

After all, re-evaluation is a fundamental part of critical thinking—more information naturally leads to a deeper understanding and, sometimes, a shift in perspective.

Finally, let’s address the idea that open-mindedness means tolerating harmful or extreme viewpoints. Absolutely not. While understanding where others are coming from is valuable, open-mindedness does not obligate you to accept ideas that promote harm (REAL harm and not the imaginary ‘hurt my feelings’ kind), undermine fundamental ethics, or violate basic human rights. It’s about constructive engagement, not capitulation.

The Causes of Polarization

Let’s start with the imperfect, largely unexplored human psychology, as it plays a significant role in polarization. We all know about cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, which lead us to favour information that supports our beliefs while dismissing any contradictory evidence. This phenomenon is glaringly evident in today's world, and unfortunately, the internet exacerbates the issue, providing support for virtually any opinion imaginable.

This favouritism extends to group favouritism—aligning with the beliefs of the social groups we belong to—which further amplifies polarization.

These biases are deeply ingrained and often create a sense of moral superiority, which heightens tensions between opposing sides.

And don’t get me wrong—we may be entirely justified in believing we are right and we may be right. However, adopting a stance of moral or any kind of superiority immediately shuts down any chance of meaningful communication.

Social and cultural factors also reinforce divisions between groups.

We tend to expose ourselves only to information that aligns with our pre-existing beliefs, and social media algorithms amplify these bubbles by prioritizing content we engage with, further entrenching our views while isolating us from others.

This isolation reduces our ability to engage constructively with differing opinions.

When we do encounter opposing views, we often react aggressively, as we’ve grown so accustomed to validation that our capacity to handle adversity diminishes.

I’ve experienced this firsthand—I used to be so entrenched in my own views that I had to step away from social media entirely. I only recently returned to platforms like X and Substack.

Cultural differences, including different traditions and values, and worldviews, further complicate our ability to understand differing perspectives. Adding to this, history plays a significant role.

Events from the past, such as racial and social injustices, economic disparities, and geopolitical conflicts, have left behind grievances that continue to shape today’s divisions. Instead of fostering balance, these unresolved issues often swing us to one extreme, only for society to shift to the opposite side of the pendulum a few decades later. The elusive balance, it seems, is never found.

Fostering Open-Mindedness

At the personal level, we need to start practicing active listening. When I see comments on X, I genuinely try to put myself in the other person’s shoes. Of course, it’s not easy, but I approach it with a willingness to understand, that’s a first step.

I also strive to be as polite as possible—unless I encounter something truly ridiculous, and then, admittedly, I struggle to hold myself back.

Another critical step is to challenge our own assumptions by actively seeking out diverse perspectives, whether through books, conversations, or media. Try venturing to the "enemy" side and observing how they perceive the world.

This self-reflection helps to identify and dismantle the biases that may cloud our judgment. It’s equally important to separate ideas from identity.

We aim to critique someone's arguments or opinions without resorting to attacking their character.

If you look at the comments on my articles on X, you’ll see that 90% of them attack me personally (in a nonsense way) rather than addressing my opinions. Statistically, most of these attacks, from what I observe, come from the far-left spectrum rather than the right.

When engaging in discussions, we need to keep the focus on the issues at hand and avoid descending into personal attacks. If the conversation devolves into personal attacks from either side and cannot be redirected, it’s best to end the discussion—because, at that point, it’s no longer a discussion at all.

Easy to Say But Challenging to Apply

One of the biggest challenges in fostering open-mindedness is resistance to change.

Most people find comfort in their established beliefs and routines, as these provide a sense of stability and certainty; however, they can also create a false sense of self-esteem and identity.

Stepping outside this comfort zone feels threatening, particularly when confronted with ideas that challenge deeply held values or identities. This resistance—while not futile—frequently stems from fear: fear of being wrong, of losing social standing, or of facing the unknown.

Another difficulty, especially in today’s polarized climate, lies in dealing with extreme views. In such cases, open-mindedness can feel either impossible or counterproductive.

For instance, engaging with individuals who hold extremist or harmful beliefs can test the limits of even the most patient and empathetic individuals. In such situations, it’s often better to disengage entirely or focus on fostering understanding among moderates, addressing misinformation, and creating opportunities for constructive dialogue with those open to change.

Last but not least, it’s essential to balance openness with personal boundaries.

While it’s important to remain receptive to differing opinions, it’s equally critical to uphold one’s core values and principles.

By setting clear boundaries, individuals can navigate complex conversations with integrity, ensuring that open-mindedness contributes to constructive growth rather than compromise.

So Now What?

I am sure that at this point we all agree that critical open-mindedness is essential for bridging divides and creating a more collaborative society.

Let’s try (both sides) to practice active listening, challenging assumptions, and separating ideas from identity at the personal level. Let’s encourage respectful dialogue and empathy interpersonally, and take meaningful steps toward reducing polarization.

We can start small—whether by engaging in a thoughtful conversation, seeking out diverse perspectives, trying not to fall into name calling and maintain a civilized conversation level..

We used to be as a society at that. A society where dialogue thrives despite differences, where mutual understanding replaces conflict, and where progress is driven by the willingness to learn from one another. And please, let’s not forget that "the fringes are fringes for a reason." We should not normalize them in the name of open-mindedness. Instead, we must critically assess, evaluate, and strive for balance.

Yes, I know, history has shown that we will never get there, but we need to try to keep it at a level, as it used to be.