Why Preconceived Notion Prevail over Individual Recognition

Humanity for a long time had this cognitive reaction of jumping to conclusions or assuming something without prior facts and basis to back up their claim. Over the course of humanity’s progress and evolution, having personal beliefs and judgment without basis may be harmless but it can be a problem in some cases. This could leave us becoming negative and critical of others which could affect others’ behavior, beliefs, and mindset. Common causes of such a mindset are due to ignorance, fear, and pride.

The preconceived notion is more in the deeper psychological state rather than ideology. However, if we are to see this set in the modern world in retrospect, there are numerous aspects and reasons as to how such kind of cognitive reaction is prevalent nowadays. From both the historical and biological standpoint, it is stated that this kind of cognitive development is normal due to humanity’s survival instincts of fear of ambiguity and inferring what’s unknown to us. 

One of in/habitants stories explores the story of Eric being gifted in his passion as he is challenged by being surrounded by the wrong people causing him misfortune.

Eric is gifted with a talent in engineering, giving him adequate resources and education provided by his family and school and being his parents as his influence for his endeavors. His passion for machines is clear as day when he was still young, and brimming with potential and dreams. However, being talented and hardworking could not always bring you success when you are surrounded by the wrong environment and people.

The common and ultimate goal of humans is not success but happiness. When parents have different values and happiness towards you, it will always cause turmoil in one’s relationship. His parents equate success with happiness, but Eric thinks otherwise.  Eric’s parents wanted him the best by working in the good company of his father’s friend thinking this could make him happy and using this as means of integrating themselves into the community. However, Eric despite his talent and potential, prefers to stay in the workshop doing what he loved, opposing his parent’s desire for massive financial success in a good company.

One night, Various cops tried to apprehend them for what seemed to be an accusation without any basis and elaboration of the reason for capturing Eric himself and his father during their peaceful night trip. When they discovered the machine, it was supposed to be a remote-controlled drone not intended as a weapon. However, it accidentally cut the police inspector’s fingers instantly assuming it as a weapon as everyone panicked. Panic creates fear, and preconceived notions or jumping to the wrong conclusion can sometimes be made out of fear and it shows in this scene. And these cost the life of Eric’s father in this case. 

Make it stand out

Eric’s mother seeks justice for her husband and son’s accident. Despite the number of evidence they provided to the court, and being part of an eccentric race that is part of the subject of their preconceptions, it will never be enough for these racists to provide them with the justice that they need and deserve. As unpleasant as it is, their personal emotion without basis and interest will only fill the world of lies and injustices.

Normally, seeking justice is the first action when you are related to a murder victim. Justice doesn’t have preconceived notions and doesn’t choose races. However, when an enforcer of justice falls into the wrong hands, though infuriating as it sounds, the truth will never prevail and justice will never be served. Whenever we acknowledge and allow ourselves to search for the truth, and widen our minds, it will welcome us to truth and proper understanding of what we are oblivious of initially. 

Despite their current success and the potential Eric could bring to the field of engineering, it was truly an unfortunate situation for him to face because a single accident costs both of their lives due to fear. Life gave him a second chance but not to his father as he faced his demise.  

Failures and mistakes are better than misfortune. Failing gives you chances to stand back up, learn from it, and gain something. On the other hand, misfortune is an uncontrollable event that takes something from you leaving you in grief and sorrow, giving you the only choice to move forward. However, both these can make a person wiser and stronger.

Eric was misfortunate, experienced loss in his family and career, and faced racism, and injustices, but this did not diminish his will to live and move forward. And this is only the beginning of his story. 

The only cure for having preconceived notions about things is education. Education teaches you things such as empathy. Empathy enables you to feel someone’s feelings on a genuine and deeper level. It is natural to have preconceptions or preconceived notions about many things because it defines our capability of emotion as humans and we are born ignorant, initially without knowledge of anything. However, we are always given a choice and opportunity to educate ourselves to be more open-minded. And eventually, we are able to become the best person we can be.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this content are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.