Obstinacy, Open-mindedness, and Gullibility
Reasonable open-mindedness is an epistemic virtue. But one must be careful. The author of this article asks “What harm can truly come from being open-minded?” Well, it depends on what is meant by “open-minded.”
Let’s think about this question from an Aristotelian perspective. Open-mindedness is the rational mean between the vices of gullibility on one hand and obstinacy on the other. Taken too far, open-mindedness can slide into gullibility. Put differently, the attitude of open-mindedness practiced without the restraint of reason can be replaced by a habit of credulity. And credulity is not a desirable trait.
The curiosity of the open mind and the skepticism of the doubter form a strong alliance. The open mind should remember to ask “What’s the evidence?” and “What’s the likelihood that it’s true?”