Do Good People Do Bad Things? How We Decide What's Right, What's Wrong, and How to Vote.

In the last edition of this newsletter, we discussed our impact, our legend, and how improving our self-awareness can help us better attend to the ripples our efforts make.

Today, let's build on that knowledge and look at a core driver of who we are, how we think, and what we believe; Our Worldview.

What is a "Worldview?"

A worldview is the lens through which we perceive and interpret the world around us. It encompasses our beliefs, values, and assumptions about how things are and how they should be. This lens shapes our understanding of roles, behaviors, morality, and social norms. Simply put, it's the rulebook for living.

Psychologists argue that much of our worldview is formed in early childhood, often before the age of five. During these formative years, we absorb information like sponges, taking in lessons from our surroundings about how the world works and our place within it.

How Worldviews Are Formed

From birth, we observe and internalize the behaviors and attitudes of those around us—parents, caregivers, peers, and societal influences. Cultural norms, such as distinct beliefs about social behavior, religion, and morality are examples of these lessons we learn. Social expectations such as messages about social status, success, and failure are also ingrained.

For example, a child who witnesses their family emphasizing self-sufficiency might grow up with a strong belief in the importance of personal responsibility. Another child who witnesses their family shun emotional expression might grow up with the belief that emotions are a weakness.

These early experiences create a framework for how we see the world and our role in it. As adults, we carry this framework into every interaction and decision, often without realizing it. Let's look at an example of how our worldviews can play out on a larger scale.

A Worldview in Action: Political Polarization

In his book The Righteous Mind, Jonathan Haidt explains how moral psychology shapes our political and religious divisions. Haidt argues that our moral reasoning is often driven by instinctive feelings rather than logical deliberation. These instincts are products of our worldviews. Not only what we see as right and wrong, but also the quality of a person's character based upon their moral reasoning.

For example, when discussing social welfare policies, one worldview argues that such policies promote dependency, undermine personal responsibility, and inhibit self-improvement. In contrast, another worldview might argue that societal structures can unfairly disadvantage some individuals, necessitating support systems to level the playing field.

These instinctive reactions can lead to intense conflicts, as each side believes their perspective is not only correct but morally superior.

The line of reasoning can seem sound: If they believe something differently than I do, and I believe I am morally upright and just, then wouldn't it stand to reason that they are morally corrupt?

Without active self-awareness to bring this thinking to the forefront of our minds, these subjective opinions based on our worldviews seem objective and indisputable. This is how our worldviews can contribute to and perpetuate dynamics like the political polarization we experience today.

Understand Your Worldview, Improve Your Impact

To sum up the message, our worldviews are significant. They motivate action, steer decision-making, inform our judgment, and help us exist in the world. They are also wildly subjective to where, how, and by whom we were raised. It can grow and adapt in one area while remaining profoundly rigid in another.

The more we can be present for the formation of our thoughts at the worldview level, the better we can attend to the places where our worldview may be flawed. It's a life-long process to improve this part of us, so there are many ways to accomplish growth. I recommend putting most of your focus on these two areas and then following the paths that emerge.

Self-Reflection: Regularly examine your expectations and assumptions in various situations. Ask yourself where these expectations come from and whether they are reasonable. This practice helps you understand your inherent biases and how they shape your actions.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself as you navigate everyday life or contentious dynamics:

• What are my expectations?
• Are these expectations reasonable?
• What evidence supports their reasonableness?
• Is my policy or action the most just response?
• Will my response solve how I feel or solve the actual issue?

Empathy and Openness: Make a conscious effort to appreciate and respect differing perspectives. Recognize that others' worldviews are as valid as your own. While this is easier said than done, you can make great progress by practicing skills that challenge your worldview and foster curiosity

• Challenge the 'shoulds' and 'ares' you impose on others: "good people are...." "patriots should..." "Men/Women are...."
• Read, listen, and watch content about other cultures and worldviews.
• Talk with people outside of your culture more frequently.
• Don't allow yourself to label others as unreasonable, illogical, outrageous, or any other descriptions that keep you from seeking to understand them.

Remember, it takes time for a ripple to reach the edge of the water. The true impact of your actions may only become evident over time. Reflect regularly, learn constantly, and make adjustments based on the outcomes of your decisions.