Unity of Opposites: How both things can also be true?

In our daily lives, we often encounter situations where opposing perspectives or contradictory information can be valid in different contexts or from different points of view. This can manifest in various domains such as politics, ethics, and even personal beliefs. The unity of opposites recognizes that truth is multifaceted, multiple dimensions of reality exist,  and are therefore, context-dependent.

• Unconscious behavior patterns greatly influence our perception of truth and our inclination to see the unity of opposites.

Our cognitive processes are influenced by implicit biases, which are unconscious associations and preferences that shape our thoughts, judgments, and behavior. These biases can lead us to perceive information in a way that confirms our existing beliefs and to disregard or dismiss contradictory evidence.

Confirmation bias, for example, is a common cognitive bias that leads us to seek out and interpret information in a way that supports our preexisting beliefs, while ignoring or downplaying conflicting evidence. This bias reinforces our inclination to perceive one side of an argument as true and the opposing side as false. Confirmation bias and other unconscious biases can reinforce our existing viewpoints and hinder our ability to consider the unity of opposites.

Furthermore, motivated reasoning, another unconscious behavior pattern, influences our perception of truth by filtering information through the lens of our desires, emotions, and motivations.

We tend to accept information that aligns with our desired outcome or supports our self-interest, while disregarding or rationalizing away information that threatens our beliefs or goals. This bias can make it difficult for us to embrace contradictory viewpoints and appreciate the unity of opposites.

Moreover, social and cultural factors also contribute to our perception of truth and our willingness to accept the unity of opposites:

Our social circles and cultural environments shape our beliefs, values, and biases, often leading us to gravitate towards like-minded individuals and echo chambers that reinforce our existing perspectives. This can create an echo-chamber effect where opposing viewpoints are dismissed or devalued, further reinforcing the idea that something can only be true or false.

However, acknowledging the unity of opposites and embracing the complexity of truth can lead to a more nuanced understanding of the world. It allows us to recognize that multiple perspectives can hold the truth and that contradictions can coexist.

How do We Change this Unconscious Pattern?

By challenging our unconscious biases and engaging in critical thinking, we can cultivate a more open-minded approach that appreciates diverse viewpoints and seeks a synthesis of seemingly opposing ideas.

Developing self-awareness and actively examining our biases and preconceptions is a crucial step towards recognizing the unity of opposites.

This involves being open to new information, actively seeking out diverse perspectives, and cultivating empathy and understanding for others' experiences and viewpoints.

By doing so, we can foster intellectual humility and create an environment that encourages dialogue, respectful disagreement, and the exploration of the complexities inherent in truth.

In conclusion, the unity of opposites challenges the binary notion of truth and recognizes that contradictory elements can coexist and be both true and false simultaneously.

Unconscious behavior patterns, such as confirmation bias and motivated reasoning, can hinder our ability to embrace this concept. However, by cultivating self-awareness, critical thinking, and openness to diverse perspectives, we can broaden our understanding of truth and appreciate the complex interplay of opposing ideas.

When we remove the glasses of our own implicitly biased filters, we clear the lens to view a more genuine and authentic perception of the others.