Multi-Perspectival Humbleness
Note: This topic was mentioned during the call but not discussed in depth.
Scott Moehring added this concept to the Excalidraw board in response to Alex Kladitis's challenges about belief systems limiting curiosity.
What It Means
Multi-perspectival humbleness combines:
Multi-perspectival - Actively seeking and considering multiple viewpoints:
- Not assuming your view is complete
- Looking for alternative angles
- Recognizing partial understanding
- Seeking out different perspectives
Humbleness - Holding views with appropriate humility:
- Acknowledging limitations
- Being willing to be wrong
- Not claiming certainty beyond evidence
- Remaining open to revision
Connection to Alex's Challenge
Alex Kladitis provocatively stated:
"I can go through the recordings, and I can find every single... at least one example where each one of you has made a statement, and I'm thinking, But why don't you look at it from this point of view?"
Multi-perspectival humbleness is the practice Alex was calling for:
- Before asserting, ask: "What perspective am I missing?"
- After asserting, ask: "How would this look from another angle?"
- When challenged, respond: "Tell me more about that perspective"
Relationship to Belief Systems
From Belief Systems and Curiosity:
"We don't want to challenge our mental model and belief system."
Multi-perspectival humbleness as antidote:
- Holds beliefs lightly enough to examine them
- Seeks perspectives that challenge comfortable views
- Treats beliefs as provisional, not identity
- Values understanding over being right
Connection to DSRP
This relates to the "P" (Perspectives) in DSRP Theory:
- Every observation comes from a perspective
- Change perspective, change what you see
- Multiple perspectives reveal fuller picture
- No single perspective is complete
Practice Implications
Multi-perspectival humbleness as practice might involve:
- Routinely asking "How would X see this?"
- Seeking out contrary opinions
- Acknowledging uncertainty
- Saying "I might be wrong about this" more often
- Testing your views against alternatives
Why It Matters for Curiosity
Without multi-perspectival humbleness:
- We stop asking questions once we have "the answer"
- We dismiss perspectives that don't fit our view
- We protect beliefs rather than test them
- We mistake partial understanding for complete truth
With it:
- Questions remain open longer
- Different views become interesting rather than threatening
- Learning continues
- Curiosity survives certainty