Daniel Levitin Quotes

If you never change your mind, why have one?

If something comes that it is so extreme that you have difficulty thinking of it as a good thing, don't think of it as a good thing and kid yourself. To the extent that you can, don't label it a bad thing. Refusing to label something a bad thing opens you up to possibilities you would not have even considered otherwise.

When the facts change, one ought to change one’s opinion.

Having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise.

Just because something doesn't confirm your existing beliefs does not mean it's a hoax.

Scholars do one of two things when they discover information that doesn't fit what they already know. Either they sweep it aside so it doesn't bring their cherished theories into question or they focus on it with laserlike intensity and try to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Usually when we hear or read something new, we just compare it to our own ideas. If it is the same, we accept it and say that it is correct. If it is not, we say it is incorrect. In either case, we learn nothing.

Some minds remain open long enough for the truth not only to enter but to pass on through by way of a ready exit without pausing anywhere along the route.

Opinions are made to be changed - or how is truth to be got at?

The interesting thing is always to see if you can find a fact that will change your mind about something, to test and see if you can.

In making theories, always keep a window open so that you can throw one out if necessary.

Never stop paying attention to things. Never make your mind up finally. Do not hold beliefs.

I never stop making sure that what I say is the best of what could be said about a particular thing. It's a constant evolution. If I planted a tree one way yesterday, and somebody tells me of a better way to plant a tree, I think, 'You know, they're right, that's better.' Then I change my way to accommodate the new way of planting trees.

Only idiots refuse to change their minds.

My point is that perceptual bias can affect nut jobs and scientists alike. If we hold too rigidly to what we think we know, we ignore or avoid evidence of anything that might change our mind.

Keep your ears open, your eyes open, grab everything you can, react, and learn!

Only stupid people don't change their minds.

It can be easy and tempting, especially during a presidential campaign, to listen only to opinions that mirror and fortify one's own. That's not ideal, because it eliminates learning and makes it impossible for people to understand what they dismiss as 'the other side.'

I try not to be an ideologue about anything. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, and I'm willing to evolve.

I prefer to listen to people who change their mind now and then.

I reserve the right to think many different things and to change my mind and to even be wrong.

I am a person always with an open mind.

When the facts change, I change my mind.

Beliefs should be like the rest of life, and real life isn't rules but learning and adaption.

One of the hardest tasks as a human being is knowing when to keep an open mind, and when not to.