The Trouble With Assumptions
“We see the world not as it is, but as we are”
— Anaïs Nin
When we don’t know something, we look to fill the gaps based on our assumptions, rather than looking for the facts. But the problem with this is that we let ourselves believe they are factual. Like the quote from Anaïs Nin says, we believe our own personal perspective is the facts, rather than trying to see the world as a whole. However, our consciousness and perspective is limited to that of our own experiences. So instead of believing that our own perspective of the situation is factual, we should try to see through other eyes and understand the true story of another.
What has happened to another person can be quite deceiving to us through our own perspective. For example, people automatically assume that someone who is smart or gets good grades is lucky and has things easy. The truth is likely much different, however. They may struggle greatly because of constant, monotonous work, leaving little room for rest. Along with this, constant pressure of keeping a reputation of being the best at what they do can lead to severe anxiety and depression. So although it may appear to us that others are lucky or have it easier than us, they may struggle at things that we don’t struggle at.
In summary, when we are ignorant towards something, we should never make assumptions about it. Look at what is factual and what others see through their eyes, rather than just your own. For a villain in your eyes may be a hero to another, and a benefit of yours may be another’s struggle. In reality, we all have unique lives and perspectives, but we are also all equivalents in existence. Understand that you don’t know as much about others as you think you do, but still try to put yourself in their shoes, and listen to what they have to say. Thank you for reading Social Science 43, and have a marvelous day.
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