The Need for Thick Skin

A seemingly obvious way to overcome these obstacles would be to share the task of truth-seeking with other minds. See what the blueprints produce, open the box, and run the experiment! However, doing so opens one’s ideas up to possible criticism. Only when they are exposed can the failures of our preconceptions be laid bare. Our most profound discoveries may be deconstructed before our eyes, sending us back to square one. Our prized breakthroughs may not be treated with the respect we feel they deserve. As others open up, we may be exposed to ideas we don’t like or concepts that complicate the issue.

A dedicated Freethinker must have thick skin. To them, the Truth must matter more than the slings and arrows endured along the path to obtain it. Truth-Seekers and Freethinkers alike must be willing to abandon faulty beliefs, like broken tools, in favor of those ideas that get them closer to a better understanding of reality, morality, and more. This is a journey of personal growth and perseverance.

With all that considered, is it even worth it to expose others to ideas and expose ourselves to their ideas? Should it be said that the exploration of freethought is indeed improved through the shared consideration of multiple (and, at times, conflicting) opinions?