Most of our beliefs are not the result of personal investigation, but of education, culture, our surroundings, and the experiences we have accumulated. We accept ideas because we trust the people who share them with us, because they align with what we already think, or because everyone seems to believe them. However, the fact that an idea is popular, familiar, or reassuring does not make it true. Our minds tend to seek information that confirms what we already believe and reject anything that forces us to reconsider our convictions.

Critical thinking does not mean doubting everything, but demanding sufficient reasons before accepting something as true. It involves distinguishing facts from interpretations, recognising the limits of our knowledge, and being willing to change our minds when better arguments emerge. It also requires accepting that some questions have no definitive answers. Intelligence does not consist of defending our ideas at any cost, but of recognising when we might be wrong. Perhaps the best way to get closer to the truth is to stop asking ourselves how to prove that we are right and start asking what evidence would make us change our minds.