THE SKIN WE WEAR: IDENTITY, BELIEF, AND THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGING OUR MINDS_ BY CLEMENT MWAKA ERNESTERICK

"You should have realized that at times, people come to us, not to know the truth, but to defend also their long held opinions/hearsays about such questions: concerning the self-identity (which are sometimes if not most times misinformed), religious beliefs, etc . It takes time, some don't, to buy the other's views about the same. Human inclinations, like their own skins, are rarely changeable."

Human beings often imagine themselves as seekers of truth, guided by reason and evidence wherever they may lead. Yet everyday experience suggests a more complex reality. In discussions concerning religion, politics, philosophy, culture, and even science, many people do not enter conversations with the primary intention of discovering what is true. Rather, they arrive prepared to defend convictions they have held for years, sometimes decades. This tendency is not merely intellectual; it is deeply rooted in human psychology and social existence.

Beliefs are rarely isolated ideas floating in the mind. They are intertwined with personal identity, family upbringing, community belonging, and emotional security. From childhood, individuals inherit values, traditions, and ways of interpreting the world from parents, teachers, religious leaders, and peers. Over time, these beliefs become integrated into one's sense of self. Consequently, a challenge to a belief is often experienced as a challenge to the person who holds it.

Psychologically, humans exhibit what researchers call confirmation bias—the tendency to seek information that supports existing views while dismissing or minimizing contradictory evidence. This mechanism is not necessarily a sign of dishonesty; rather, it reflects the mind's preference for consistency and stability. People generally feel more comfortable affirming what they already believe than confronting the uncertainty that accompanies change. Social factors reinforce this tendency.

 Human beings are social creatures who derive meaning and identity from belonging to groups. Religious communities, political movements, ethnic groups, and intellectual circles all provide members with a sense of purpose and connection. To abandon a cherished belief may risk social isolation, criticism, or even rejection by one's community. As a result, individuals often defend beliefs not only because they think they are true, but because those beliefs symbolize membership in a valued group.

This helps explain why debates frequently generate more heat than light. Participants may believe they are arguing about facts, doctrines, or theories, while beneath the surface they are protecting identities, loyalties, and emotional investments. In such circumstances, persuasion becomes difficult. Rarely does a single argument or conversation overturn convictions built over many years. Genuine changes in worldview usually occur gradually through sustained reflection, personal experiences, exposure to alternative perspectives, and the slow accumulation of doubt or conviction.

Indeed, some people never substantially revise their deepest assumptions. Human inclinations, like the skin one wears, are remarkably persistent. While change is possible, it is seldom easy. Beliefs that have become woven into the fabric of one's identity often resist alteration, even when confronted by compelling counterarguments.

Recognizing this reality can cultivate patience and humility. It reminds us that disagreement is not always the product of ignorance or malice. Often, people are navigating the world through frameworks shaped by their histories, relationships, and psychological needs. Understanding this does not require abandoning one's convictions; rather, it encourages a more charitable approach to dialogue.

Ultimately, meaningful conversations occur when participants are willing to do more than defend their positions. They must also possess the courage to examine them. The pursuit of truth demands openness, yet openness is one of the most difficult human virtues because it requires risking the comfort of certainty. Whether in matters of faith, philosophy, or everyday life, the challenge remains the same: to distinguish between the desire to be right and the desire to understand.

© Clement Mwaka Ernesterick 

- Kenya