Our brains are pretty good at filling in blanks with the likely missing links, especially given enough context. This is important to a lot of communication, it’s the basis of much of scientific inquiry, and it is also a key part of what makes us human; we can fill in blanks with things that are objectively not present, but context tells us must exist.
A ghost must have turnout turned out the lights because I’m alone in the house. This year’s harvest was plentiful as a result of my sacrificial offering at the temple.
We do the same thing in our interactions with others. Sometimes (or probably all the time) we form ideas about other people or on certain events based on limited information without knowing the “objective” truth. Often times its those very assumptions that keep us from seeking the truth because we think we’ve already figured it out. I’ve always considered myself an open-minded person, but I constantly catch myself making assumptions about other people’s character based on limited interactions. Recognizing it in yourself and other people doesn’t make you immune, it’s only the first step. Step 2 is making an effort and listening.
nANIMOv 