How much of our thinking is truly ours, and how much is inherited from our surroundings? > Likes and Comments

Most of us feel that our opinions, morals, and beliefs are personal conclusions we arrived at through our own thinking.
But if we had been born in a different place, time, or culture, we would likely feel just as strongly about a completely different set of beliefs.
This makes me question how much of what we call “my thinking” is actually shaped by the environment we grew up in.
It seems that many ideas feel true to us not because we examined them deeply, but because they were always around us.
I explored this idea more deeply while writing my book, Reflection. Vision. Transparency.: A Thought on Human Nature and Society, and I’d really like to hear how others reflect on this.

That's a very interesting question, which I don't have an answer for, just another related question:

How does one account for siblings who were raised in the same circumstances, the same environment, but have developed radically different, even opposing, viewpoints about life?

And does their birth order or gender also have a part in this?

Choyang wrote: "That's a very interesting question, which I don't have an answer for, just another related question:

How does one account for siblings who were raised in the same circumstances, the same environm..."
I think that how the individual interprets the things that happen with them also matter.
The thing is every person is different. Not only gender or birth order but everything plays a role in them having different viewpoints.
Let’s say someone gets a gift. In this case he can either be thankful or get angry because they didn’t get what they desired. Interpretation matters.

Atharv wrote: "Most of us feel that our opinions, morals, and beliefs are personal conclusions we arrived at through our own thinking.
But if we had been born in a different place, time, or culture, we would like..."

One of the most important studies someone can undertake, is to examine why they think they way they think. So hat's off to you for opening that can of worms, let the adventure begin.

We are are products of our environments good and bad, so just moving away from where you grew up, can reveal so much about yourself. Even just disconnecting from socials and programming for a short period can show you how much of your narrative is shaped by popular perspective.

A lie told enough times will eventually start to sound like the truth.

Unpack a few of your beliefs and reexamine they on your own with your current understanding. Once completely satisfied, try repacking them, do they still fit?

Enjoy.

Mr Crown

Mr wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Most of us feel that our opinions, morals, and beliefs are personal conclusions we arrived at through our own thinking.
But if we had been born in a different place, time, or culture..."

That’s a really interesting way to put it—especially the idea of “repacking beliefs” instead of just discarding them.
I think most people don’t realize how much of what they call “thoughts” are actually inherited frameworks. I’ve actually been exploring similar ideas in a book I wrote on human nature and how we form beliefs, where I go a bit deeper into this idea of internal conditioning.

Atharv wrote: "Mr wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Most of us feel that our opinions, morals, and beliefs are personal conclusions we arrived at through our own thinking.
But if we had been born in a different place, time,..."

Hi guys :)

I agree, we are all conditioned by our environment, this starts in a childhood and never really stops. However, childhood influences are the strongest, because this is when the fundamental structures of your brain are developed.

And even then, its not a start- new research shows what sages intuitively knew for millennia- our personality is largely formed before we are even born, for your cellular form is being influenced by environment your grandmother was living in (when you've had your start in your mum's ovaries, her being 12 weeks old fetus).

And yes, being aware of the above is both liberating, and " encaging", for no one can completely move away from their foundations.

:)

Jasmine

Dr. wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Mr wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Most of us feel that our opinions, morals, and beliefs are personal conclusions we arrived at through our own thinking.
But if we had been born in a differe..."
I think the strongest influences come from our external environment throughout life, and many people do move far away from their original foundations over time.

I agree with Atharv. I would like to comment further, but too exhausted to gather my thoughts, so I'll be back later.

This is an intriguing subject and while I understand people have been having this debate for many years, it's still of interest to me!
Thanks for re-igniting the fire!

Choyang wrote: "I agree with Atharv. I would like to comment further, but too exhausted to gather my thoughts, so I'll be back later.

This is an intriguing subject and while I understand people have been having ..."
I’m really glad the discussion resonated with you. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts whenever you return to it.

Atharv wrote: "Most of us feel that our opinions, morals, and beliefs are personal conclusions we arrived at through our own thinking.
But if we had been born in a different place, time, or culture, we would like..."

Hi Atharv,

I think this is a very important question.

Most of the time, we do not really question whether the thoughts we call “mine” are truly ours. The family, society, culture, religion, time period, education system, and even the fears we grow up with can shape us so early that we later mistake those inherited ideas for our own truth.

Real thinking does not begin by defending the first ideas we were given, but by becoming aware of them and questioning them again. There may be many voices inside our mind that sound like our own, but were actually placed there by the world around us.

But I also don’t think this means everything we inherit is false. Sometimes there can be truth in what we receive. The real work, perhaps, is to examine it consciously, to test it within ourselves, and to see whether it is truly alive in us or simply familiar.

I believe, freedom and consciousness begins when we start noticing the source of the beliefs we thought were entirely our own.

Choyang wrote: "That's a very interesting question, which I don't have an answer for, just another related question:

How does one account for siblings who were raised in the same circumstances, the same environm..."

Hi Choyang,

That is a very good question too. I sometimes come across situations in life that make me think about this, and I have come to this conclusion in my own way:

Growing up in the same house does not mean living the same life. Two siblings may have the same parents, the same home, and the same culture, but their inner experience of that home can be completely different. One child may feel loved, while the other may feel unseen in the very same environment. For one, discipline may create a feeling of safety; for another, it may feel like pressure. The same event can leave a very different mark on two different inner worlds.

I also think a person’s natural temperament matters a lot here. Yes, environment shapes us, but it does not shape everyone in the same way. Each person is like a different seed planted in the same soil. They may receive the same sun, the same water, the same wind, but one becomes a rose, another an oak tree, another a thorny plant. Because the essence within them is different.

So it does not really surprise me that siblings, or even identical twins, can develop very different views. Even if they grow up in the same family, their inner response to life may be different. Birth order, gender, family roles, expectations, and even the invisible identities given to us as children can deepen those differences.

I don’t think a person is shaped only by the environment. It is also their inner nature, their essence, meeting that environment. The same outer world can awaken something different in each person.

Cagla wrote: "Choyang wrote: "That's a very interesting question, which I don't have an answer for, just another related question:

How does one account for siblings who were raised in the same circumstances, t..."

Hi Cagla :)

Yes, you are right- there are a number of studies that confirm nature traits are quite independent from the environment.

I'll give you an example from my life.
Since our family relocated, our little boy barely sees one of his grandmothers- may be for 2 days every 2 years- and yet he behaves like her (in many ways!), more, and more, every day :)

Jasmine

Cagla wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Most of us feel that our opinions, morals, and beliefs are personal conclusions we arrived at through our own thinking.
But if we had been born in a different place, time, or culture..."

Yes I very much agree with you.
We should always try to test our beliefs. That way we can make sure that the truth we received through our environment or parents or society is really true from our eyes.
Also while testing our beliefs we should have a neutral stand.

Atharv wrote: "Cagla wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Most of us feel that our opinions, morals, and beliefs are personal conclusions we arrived at through our own thinking.
But if we had been born in a different place, ti..."

Hi Atharv,

"always test your beliefs", this is so wise! In my experince though, sadly, most of people " do not" do this. And yet this simple life skill is so important! it should be taught at school :)

Jasmine

Dr. wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Cagla wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Most of us feel that our opinions, morals, and beliefs are personal conclusions we arrived at through our own thinking.
But if we had been born in a diff..."

Thank you, Jasmine. That is one of the thoughts that led me to write my philosophy book, REFLECTION. VISION. TRANSPARENCY.: A Thought on Human Nature and Society. Would you like to know more about it? Or more thoughts like this?

Atharv wrote: "Dr. wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Cagla wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Most of us feel that our opinions, morals, and beliefs are personal conclusions we arrived at through our own thinking.
But if we had been bo..."

Hi Atharv :)

Please share a bit more with us about your book. Could you answer these two questions please?

1. What is the main message you are aiming to get across?

2. What makes your book different from the other books written on the same subject?

Thank you :)

Jasmine

Dr. wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Dr. wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Cagla wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Most of us feel that our opinions, morals, and beliefs are personal conclusions we arrived at through our own thinking.
But if..."

Hi Jasmine
Thank you for the thoughtful questions.
1. What is the main message of my book?
The book tries to answer many personal and societal questions philosophically. Its core message is to help readers examine their own beliefs and see the same idea from multiple perspectives — teaching how to think, not what to think.
2. What makes it different from other books on this subject?
It’s practical and conversational rather than abstract or preachy. I can’t promise it will be life-changing, but it will help you look at things from a different perspective — more like a guided self-investigation than a lecture.
Thanks again for your interest!

Atharv wrote: "Dr. wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Dr. wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Cagla wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Most of us feel that our opinions, morals, and beliefs are personal conclusions we arrived at through our own thin..."

Hi Atharv :)

Somebody wise once said " the main reason for going to university is to learn how to think" :); looks like your book is helping to achieve the same, but is an easy to digest, and inclusive way- thank you :)

Jasmine

Dr. wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Dr. wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Dr. wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Cagla wrote: "Atharv wrote: "Most of us feel that our opinions, morals, and beliefs are personal conclusions we arrived at throu..."

I’m really glad it resonated with you 🙂
If you ever feel like exploring these ideas more deeply, I think you might enjoy the book.

I love this topic. Jidu Krishnamurti expounded on this topic quite a bit in his talks and books. His belief was that everything in our lives is designed to control and manipulate the human brain. Even the smallest, most benign advertisement in a grocery store is designed to replace your own thinking with that of the marketer. Sounds, smells, visuals, etc are all around us all the time, especially now with social media and 24 hour news and streaming tv and music. We are all born a blank slate but we are shaped by our parents, friends, local stores, religion, media, etc as we grow. Who we are in reality is mysterious to most individuals. We craft an image of what we think we are and who we think we want to be. How do we even know that an inner voice to change or try new things(like converting to a religion or becoming vegetarian) isn’t itself just another layer of subliminal manipulation. That outlook is bleak but honest. His famous quote is “truth is a pathless land”. I myself have gone through my own changes in beliefs about God, philosophy, life, etc despite protestations from those around me who too r understand, but I don’t know if I will ever truly know the truth about anything as the manipulative forces(both good and ill conceived) are ingrained in me.

B. wrote: "I love this topic. Jidu Krishnamurti expounded on this topic quite a bit in his talks and books. His belief was that everything in our lives is designed to control and manipulate the human brain. E..."

Thanks B. for introducing Jidu Krishnamurti's ideas in this discussion.
I myself don’t have a very strong answer for the question and i quote, "Will one ever know the truth about anything?".
But i have concluded to two answers which might be worth discussing.
First, There is no truth. We give shape to the truth. For us truth is something that we want to believe in.
Second, If there is a real truth then to find it we have to follow the trial and error method. We can believe in anything and test it everytime we can. If it is the real truth then it will never fail and if it fails then it is not the real truth, and we can try any other belief or idea.
Also if you liked this idea then i would recommend you to read my book, REFLECTION. VISION. TRANSPARENCY.: A Thought on Human Nature and Society , where i have elaborated on this and many topics like this in detail. And if you ever read it then an honest review will be appreciated.

Well, in my Sociology course I was taught that the current most accurate science states genetics (and hormones) are essentially the raw material, which is then manipulated by socialization in any given environment - this does indeed play a huge factor in the development of our personal expression. This is why it is so critical to teach positive values to children during early years of development, including the welcoming of diversity! So many problems in our society stem from a lack of understanding, so traumatic values continue to be passed down to each family generation... until one makes a choice to break the curse and willfully become the black sheep, representing a tale of heartache and individualism, cast away from the rest of the herd. I've lived it.

"Perception, Cognition and Thought" Essay of Interest:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/...

Truth and facts are subjective. They are both dependent upon each other as a weights and means. For something to be true it must be factually correct. However, facts must be subjectively true. Both subjects, as you point out are determinitive from every individuals station in life (race, gender, nationality, morals, education, training, experience, etc.). So the only true answer is there is no truth. What one chooses to believe is solely based on what brings them inner peace, or confirms their reality. Therefore truth is no more than a projection of our own reality. My truth is not yours and vice versa. To resolve universal truths seems an almost improbable task, as each assertions requires a constant test against the scientific method. One would go mad constantly trying to prove the veracity of their beliefs. Therefore I prefer to settle for what sets my own mind at ease.

Mike wrote: "Truth and facts are subjective. They are both dependent upon each other as a weights and means. For something to be true it must be factually correct. However, facts must be subjectively true. Both..."

Hi Mike,
I am thankful that my answer resonated with you.
Also I agree with you that it will be hard for an individual to constantly check their beliefs.
And it is a request from my side if you can please read and leave an honest review of my book REFLECTION. VISION. TRANSPARENCY.: A Thought on Human Nature and Society . It will be very helpful.

Mike wrote: "Truth and facts are subjective. They are both dependent upon each other as a weights and means. For something to be true it must be factually correct. However, facts must be subjectively true. Both..."

Hi Mike :)

I like your stance- " to settle my own mind at ease" seems intuitively correct if you are just building your own adult life. There is one exception, in my opinion: if one is a parent, than letting one's child develop his own unique self should be a priority. Too many parents seem to " do to their children whatever puts their own mind at ease", causing irreversible damage to children's minds they thus "manipulate".

Jasmine

Cassidy wrote: "Well, in my Sociology course I was taught that the current most accurate science states genetics (and hormones) are essentially the raw material, which is then manipulated by socialization in any g..."

Dear Cassidy,

thank you for sharing- and well done, you! Its easy to say " I cant help it, its generational trauma", but it takes a strong person to spot the maladaptive pattern and make things better for yourself, and your children.

And yes, you are right, official science does often call the newborn mind " a blank slate", but many inquisitive minds (academic and otherwise, yours truly included :) ) appear to have seen plenty of evidence to the contrary :)

Jasmine

Much of our thinking is shaped by family, culture, education, and the environment around us, often without us realizing it. Personal experiences help us develop individuality, but inherited beliefs still influence many decisions and opinions. Even topics like https://thelegalexperts.org/online-di... show how society and changing social values affect the way people think about relationships and independence today. True self-awareness begins when we question which thoughts genuinely belong to us and which were simply passed down over time.