Question at issue: When have you experienced an example of ideology as “truth,” and how did that belief emerge?
One key task of academic writing is to understand the difference between opinion and fact. Consider the following quotation by David Bohm from his book On Dialogue.
It is important to see that the different opinions that you have are the result of past thought: all your experiences, what other people have said, and what not. That is all programmed into your memory. You may then identify with those opinions and react to defend them. But it doesn’t make sense to do this. If the opinion is right, it doesn’t need such a reaction. And if it is wrong, why should you defend it? If you are identified with it, however, you do defend it. It is as if you yourself are under attack when your opinion is challenged. Opinions thus tend to be experienced as “truths,” even though they may only be your own assumptions and your own background. You got them from your teacher, your family, or by reading, or in yet some other way. Then for one reason or another you are identified with them, and you defend them.
Have you ever had an opinion you so strongly identified with that you experienced it as “truth”? Perhaps you recognize this in others, as well. Bohm’s message is about the very human instinct to defend our opinions, which are in essence our ideologies. Look up the definition of “ideology” and note that these can include broad categories like religious and political views. However, ideologies can be intimate, relevant to our preconceived ideas about how life is based on very narrow perspectives. Perhaps you believe breakfast is the most important meal of the day or dogs are far superior pets to cats.
❗ In your reply, provide a detailed example of how you have adopted an example of ideology as personal truth. Use the following guidelines for your reply:
Begin with a topic sentence that identifies the prevalence of ideologies and how commonly they coincide with a person’s sense of what is true.
Identify your own personal example of “truth” that can be hard to distinguish from fact.
Establish how you came to believe this “truth” and the compelling evidence that supports your assertion that it is true.
Flip the narrative and explore the notion that this in not a fact, recognizing how some may disagree with your example.
End with a statement regarding the significance of challenging ideologies and how this serves you in your education.
