The Hidden Perils of Absolute Certainty

In the modern world, confidence in one’s exclusive correctness may seem like a source of strength, but in reality, it conceals serious threats to personal growth and constructive communication. From the very beginning, such a stance risks creating a rigid divide between “us” and “them,” where every perspective is not viewed as an opportunity for dialogue but merely reinforces barriers of misunderstanding and tension. This belief often turns into an irreconcilable confrontation, forcing people to assess others through the lens of their own convictions—a method that inevitably leads to conflicts and emotional clashes.

Moreover, such a one-sided perspective limits the possibility for a fruitful exchange of opinions and mutual understanding. When a person is convinced that their way is the only correct one, they lose the ability to listen to and appreciate alternative viewpoints. This not only hinders personal development but also negatively impacts the upbringing of the younger generation, where children adopt behavior models based on intolerance and an unwillingness to embrace new experiences.

In summary, it can be confidently asserted that true strength lies in the ability to be flexible and open, accepting everyone’s right to pursue their own search for truth. By breaking down the barriers of dogmatism, we build bridges of mutual understanding where every voice matters and can contribute to the collective dialogue.
What Drawbacks Can a Belief in One’s Sole Correctness Reflect?


Belief in one’s sole correctness can lead to several serious drawbacks that affect both a person’s inner world and their relationships with others.

Firstly, such confidence fosters a rigid division into “us” and “them.” As stated in one of the sources, “Many of them are irritated by it, prompting them to firmly and irreconcilably set ‘us’ against ‘them’, appealing to punishments and maxims. But confidence in one’s correctness should not turn into a sense of infallibility. Intolerance is a poor adviser. Firstly, many shortcomings (as well as virtues) of our children are continuations of our own qualities, a consequence of our own lifestyle.” This indicates that the belief in the absolute correctness of one’s views can lead to intolerance, as well as a tendency to evaluate and criticize others through the prism of one’s own experience and beliefs, often resulting in conflicts and misunderstandings.

Secondly, such a position can restrict the possibility for dialogue and mutual understanding. As noted additionally in the same source, “The older children get, the more independent they become from their parents. Do not be afraid of this or pretend that we have ready answers to all life’s questions in our pockets, only somehow we fail to produce them in time. Only the self-critical can understand another, by recognizing their right to a personal search.” This demonstrates that insisting on having the only correct point of view hinders the development of the ability to perceive and respect alternative opinions and paths to truth, thereby reducing not only one’s own freedom but also the freedom of others.

Thus, belief in one’s sole correctness can manifest as:
• Sharp ideological and emotional confrontations (“us versus them”), which provoke conflicts;
• A lack of tolerance, leading to the condemnation and rejection of alternative viewpoints;
• A restriction on the possibility for constructive dialogue and mutual understanding;
• The transmission of these negative qualities to others, which can also affect the upbringing of the younger generation.

Supporting citation(s):
“Many of them are irritated by it, prompting them to firmly and irreconcilably set ‘us’ against ‘them’, appealing to punishments and maxims. But confidence in one’s correctness should not turn into a sense of infallibility. Intolerance is a poor adviser. Firstly, many shortcomings (as well as virtues) of our children are continuations of our own qualities, a consequence of our own lifestyle.” (source: 1345_6720.txt)

“The older children get, the more independent they become from their parents. Do not be afraid of this or pretend that we have ready answers to all life’s questions in our pockets, only somehow we fail to produce them in time. Only the self-critical can understand another, by recognizing their right to a personal search.” (source: 1345_6720.txt)