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Shoshin

Defined as having an attitude of openness and eagerness without pre-conceptions when studying at a subject at an advanced level, like a beginner would or should

  • The more you know about a subject, the more likely you are to be close minded about new information, i.e. intellectual hubris
  • Santiago Ramón y Cajal was maligned for saying that adults don't grow new neurons
  • Alfred Wegener said the Earth's crust is made up of shifting plates
  • Research is mounting that GMO's are safe1 (Anti-GMO folks are more likely to be out of date in their knowledge)
  • Humility makes us behave less brazenly and be more empathetic.
  • Combat this by "[making] the effort to explain a relevant issue or topic to yourself or someone else in detail, either out loud or in writing,"2 i.e. a sequential manner where you make an effort to fill in gaps.
  • Challenge your ideas (how am I wrong?) and acknowledge that confirmation bias exists
  • Growth mindset theory:3 intelligence is malleable
  • Increase open-mindedness by remaining in awe of things

Quote

Einstein said... One who never experiences awe ceases to discover.

References

  1. Fernbach, Philip M., Nicholas Light, Sydney E. Scott, Yoel Inbar, and Paul Rozin. “Extreme Opponents of Genetically Modified Foods Know the Least but Think They Know the Most.” Nature Human Behaviour 3, no. 3 (March 2019): 251–56. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-018-0520-3. ↩

  2. Psyche. “How to Foster ‘Shoshin’ | Psyche Guides.” Accessed May 23, 2022. https://psyche.co/guides/how-to-cultivate-shoshin-or-a-beginners-mind. ↩

  3. Dweck, Carol S. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Ballantine Books trade pbk. ed. New York: Ballantine Books, 2008. ↩