144. The child learns to believe a host of things. I.e. it learns to act according to these beliefs. Bit by bit there forms a system of what is believed, and in that system some things stand unshakeably fast and some are more or less liable to shift. What stands fast does so, not because it is intrinsically obvious or convincing; it is rather held fast by what lies around it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Our core beliefs form a stable system held together by context, not pure logic.
- In plain terms
- Some beliefs stay firm because of what surrounds them, not because they're obvious.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize how context supports your deepest assumptions.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Which of your beliefs are unshakeable?
- Why do they stay?
Another view
This can rationalize stubborn beliefs that aren't actually well-founded.
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