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To avoid the various foolish opinions which we tend to hold, no superhuman genius is required. A few simple rules will keep you, not from all error, but from silly error.If the matter is one that can be settled by observation, make the observation yourself. Aristotle could have avoided the mistake of thinking that women have fewer teeth than men, by simply asking Mrs. Aristotle to keep her mouth open while he counted. He did not do so because he thought he knew. Thinking that you know when in fact you don't is a grave mistake, which we too often make.<br>
Many matters, however, are less easily brought to the test of experience. If you have strong convictions on many such matters, there are ways in which you can make yourself aware that you might be mistaken. If an opinion contrary to your own makes you angry, that is a sign that you are in a way aware of having no good reason for thinking as you do. So whenever you find yourself getting angry about a difference of opinion, be on your guard; you will probably find, on examination, that your belief is going beyond what the evidence says is true. [法政大]
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