How important is your individual inquiry?

Question

In today's society the things we know to be true are greatly influenced by things such as; media, school, religion and family. Should these influences override your own desire or need for individual inquiry? Should you believe everything you are influenced by or is it best to seek answers else where, outside those influences?

Answer 1

This is a really Good question with important implications. There is no substitute, in my mind, for individual inquiry. It is the only way an  individual can truly grow. You have to be able to take an honest look at yourself, which is not always easy, in order to move forward and make positive changes in your life, which can ultimately affect you and others, and even create a domino effect--like social change. In order to put positive changes into effect, which we learn from school, religion, and family, we must look inwardly to make the decison to do so. These influences should never override the answers that we recieve from our own inquiry--our own inquiry, when we are honest with ourselves always leads us to decisions which will move us forward. I believe it is best to provide yourself with a very broad spectrum of information, in order to find your own personal truth. Often times it may end up being a mixture of lots of things or something entirely new, (at least to you) a theory all your own.

That is why I believe college is such a great experience for people. It is generally the first time when kids are able to realy meet a broad spectrum of people, with a broad spectrum of beliefs and interests, and of course it is an opportunity to expose yourself to ideas and theories and knowledge, which you in turn can make decisions about--Forming your own unique take on this world of ours, and most importantly, on ourselves, and how we can make our mark on in it.

Answer 2

I'd rate it at 11 or 12.

Answer 3

Yeah well this is the question of whether philosophy is important so it would be a great question anywhere except in the philosophy section. People answer this question according to how well their needs have been met by these institutions. Personally i don't think you should even be influenced by everything you're influenced by, let alone believe it. I think you should experience as many ways of life and of thinking as possible and then hopefully you'll just naturally select the best. Read The Origin of species as the greatest how-to guide ever written.

Answer 4

yes it is very important . An individual inquiry is a personal question supposedly asked with conviction and hope for an honest responce. Unfortunately places like this are very hard to get an unbiased opinion because of the throngs of biased opinionated people who habituate sites like this seeking those like yourself to display their immature uncaring idiosyncrasies pertaining to an self proclaimed intelligentism. As far as media control of ones influence, I think everyone who can see how and where our society is going is better of keeping our own moral values and motives for a decent way of life by doing what we feel is the right thing to do. Basically, being your own person who, when an opportune moment arises to confer with someone of like interests, is able to explore each others thoughts and compromise on what each persons beliefs are.

Answer 5

Great question.  It's ALWAYS best to seek the truth as you can find it, dispite these factors... but taking them heavily into consideration.

Answer 6

i look at those influences as part of the world and a very important part of society. without them life would be so much different. but in life i try to look for the things that will truly make me happy instead of what i am told will make me happy. i'm always looking at the big picture