It seems, however, that being wrong is one of the best things that can happen to you. As you assume that you are correct, you turn a blind eye to other options and possibilities which may, and often do, conflict with your notions of right, wrong, accurate, inaccurate and so forth.

It seems to me that most people hate being wrong. They hate it so much that they will defend their point to the death in many cases. It seems, however, that being wrong is one of the best things that can happen to you. As you assume that you are correct, you turn a blind eye to other options and possibilities which may, and often do, conflict with your notions of right, wrong, accurate, inaccurate and so forth. Where as the ability to understand your fault and move on provides an environment where you can "take more than one shot" at it, if you will.

So let's start the thread this way. Name three things that you are willing to accept you could be wrong about and then name three things that you "know" to be correct.

Icon, I understand where you're going with this, and there really can be much said about learning from one's mistakes. However, let's not take this too far. Let's not praise people that are wrong, for, well, being wrong. Being wrong isn't something we should strive for, is it? There's certainly something to be said about those who are too comfortable about being wrong. I think, as you say, we shouldn't think we're terrible for making mistakes, but I also don't think we should seep in the hot water of wrongness comfortability for too long, either. This can lead to a stagnant mind.

This can certainly be true, but can't it also be true that assuming you're wrong can also hinder your growth? Perhaps assuming you're right about something will allow you to learn about a derivative topic you couldn't have reached unless you initially made the assumption. Einstein couldn't have made the breakthroughs he did if he never assumed he was right about energy and mass and their mathematical equivalence. The examples obviously go on.

---

Next, we must consider the semantics of "wrong" or "right".

1.) Example: 1+1=3. wrong

2.) Example: Philadelphia is the capital of Pennsylvania. wrong

How do each of these answers compare even though they're both wrong? Could either of these answers be right? The second answer could, at some point in time, become right. The capital could change. Most would agree 1+1=2 is tautological though and cannot change. The point is, our usage of "wrong" and "right" differ here; in the former we are using a fixed logical system (tautology), and in the latter we are not. We must keep this in mind.

Next, how do these aforementioned wrongs and rights compare to the wrongs and rights found in moral judgment calls?

3.) Example: Mary is a bad person. right or wrong?

There's a difference when we say we're wrong or right here, as there's no definitive logical system (such as mathematics) where we can evaluate our answer. Many people may think Mary is a bad person, but you may think Mary is not a bad person. Who would be right in this case, and how do wrongs and rights in examples such as these compare to examples #1 and #2?

---

Lastly, we must take our values, interests, and personalities into consideration. Why? Well, my being "wrong" about a variable calculus answer will not make me feel the same way as my being "wrong" about someone's character. Personally, I pride myself on my perception in social interaction, so I would be more grief stricken if I found out I was wrong about Mary than if I found out I was wrong about a math problem. Of course, that's just me, and everyone will vary.

---

So, then, let's tie this all up in a neat little box (I won't wrap it yet because I think I'll add more later).

• Becoming too comfortable with being wrong can be just as harmful as being too ignorant to learn what is right.
  
• Semantics must be considered -- What do we mean by "wrong" or "right; in what context are these words being used?
  
• Personalities and values must be considered -- Being "wrong" or being "right" can best be understood after evaluating the individual experiencing and could mean drastically different things for different people!
  

I can see where you are going with this but I would like to point something out about your use of language. You are unsure of this. You start this point with the word "perhaps". This is the same reasoning that fear encites.

If we embrace being wrong; get comfortable with the idea, then we have a chance to interact with our error without needlessly defending it. This is not only more efficient but also healthier for a reactionary species and prevents conflict.

...

You state that Einstein could have never made his breakthroughs without the assumption of accuracy. This is not necessarily true.

So I am not stating that we should try to be wrong. What I am stating is that we should understand the importance of it and not only accept it when it happens but be glad of it.

To wrap mine up quickly in response:

I think your perception is wrong.

When stated that way, I can agree on principle and understand your concerns.

I do not think that we should not defend what we feel is right. What I think is that we should take everything with a grain of salt and accept that there is an equally likely chance of us being wrong as there is of us being right.

What I am talking about is not assuming that we are always wrong but, instead, accepting that we could be. Work off of our understanding until a different possibility presents itself.

The Example: The current rebellion of Islam against "infedels". This is a prime example of not being able to admit that you could be wrong. This is an extreme case but also a case which I feel best shows my point. To these religious extremists who commit suicide bombings, church bombings, the 9/11 twin tower tregedy and so forth, there is no possibility of being wrong. They are so convinced of their position that they commit acts against humanity and themselves for the sole purpose of salvation.

It seems to me that most people hate being wrong. They hate it so much that they will defend their point to the death in many cases. It seems, however, that being wrong is one of the best things that can happen to you. As you assume that you are correct, you turn a blind eye to other options and possibilities which may, and often do, conflict with your notions of right, wrong, accurate, inaccurate and so forth. Where as the ability to understand your fault and move on provides an environment where you can "take more than one shot" at it, if you will.

So let's start the thread this way. Name three things that you are willing to accept you could be wrong about and then name three things that you "know" to be correct.

. It is especially worse to make life or death decisions on others lives based off your beliefs..

On what else can we make decisions other than our beliefs?