11. Can new knowledge change established values or beliefs?

Word count: 905

 Vincent van Gogh – At Eternity’s Gate 1890

((Object #1) (Vincent van Gogh, 1890, Oil on Canvas. Dimensions: 80cm x 64cm (31.5 in x 21.2 in).

Location: Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo https://www.vincentvangogh.org/at-eternitys-gate.jsp))

During my visit to the Kröller-Müller Museum, I was captivated by Vincent van Gogh's painting,

"At Eternity's Gate," created in 1890 (At Eternity’s Gate, 1890 by Vincent Van Gogh). This

artwork depicts a figure immersed in profound sorrow, and through interpreting this painting

using form analysis, I discovered the evocative power of the expressive brushwork and somber

color palette. The muted tones and bold brushstrokes conveyed a melancholic atmosphere and

captured the rawness of the emotions portrayed.

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However, it was during my contemplation of this painting that a profound paradigm shift

occurred within me, challenging deeply ingrained beliefs that had influenced my perception of

personal hardships. Influenced by religious teachings of being a chosen person, I held an illusory

superiority bias, believing that my struggles were part of a divine test that would lead to

exceptional success (“How Come the Righteous Are Tested in This World, When Allah Says in

the Qur’an ‘We Will Surely Cause Him to Live a Good Life’ [an-Nahl 16:97]? - Islam Question

and Answer”). Additionally, influenced by media and availability heuristic bias, I bought into

the narrative that success often arises from a difficult upbringing (“Availability Heuristic: It Must

Be True if It’s on the Internet!”).

Yet, "At Eternity's Gate" presented an alternative narrative. It revealed that van Gogh's most

celebrated paintings were not those infused with sorrow, but rather those that showcased his

unique artistic expression, such as the renowned "Starry Night." This realization prompted a

paradigm shift, leading me towards an existentialist belief that emphasizes personal freedom and

responsibility in shaping one's life and values, rejecting the notion of pre-determined fate

(Existentialism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)).

The painting delved deep into the human experience, inviting contemplation on suffering, the

human condition, and the quest for meaning. It shattered my previous belief that hardships alone

guarantee success and illuminated the disparity between my past perceptions and the reality of

adversities. This encounter with the artwork exemplified how new knowledge can profoundly

impact established values and beliefs.

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 Preserved Baby Hair

((Object #2) (My Preserved Baby Hair, from when I was 2-3 years of age, Photo: By

Candidate))

Superstition, defined as a belief in supernatural or irrational notions attributing special powers to

objects or events, holds significant sway in various cultures (“Superstition Definition and

Meaning | Collins English Dictionary”). One prevalent superstition suggests that keeping a lock

of hair from a baby's first haircut brings good luck (Wikipedia contributors, “Lock of Hair”).

This belief is widely held, including in Kurdish culture, where it is believed to protect the child's

well-being and is often stored in a small pouch or amulet.

During my upbringing, this belief did not hold much significance in my family. We adhered to

the tradition of keeping the lock of hair merely for the sake of preserving our cultural practices.

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As I reflect on this, I realize that my belief might have been influenced by the bandwagon effect,

where I conformed to the majority opinion within my family (Team). This led to a blindspot bias,

where I failed to recognize that my belief was rooted in my family's perspective.

However, as I embarked on my journey of exploring cultural knowledge, I encountered new

perspectives and ideas through my education. This exposure prompted me to reflect on my own

beliefs and the supernatural practices associated with them. While my understanding of cultural

knowledge expanded, my belief in superstition remained steadfast.

Nevertheless, the acquisition of new knowledge enabled me to gain a deeper appreciation for my

culture and identity. It allowed me to recognize the value of what is uniquely mine, even if I did

not personally embrace the superstition. The newfound knowledge challenged my preconceived

notions and provided a broader context for understanding cultural diversity. While new

knowledge can broaden our perspectives and shape our understanding of the world, it does not

always result in a complete change of established values or beliefs. In my case, despite gaining

new insights, my belief regarding superstition remained unchanged.

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 Hamster Toy

((Object #3) (My dead hamster’s toy, photo: By candidate))

Throughout my life, I have placed a high priority on maintaining my health and well-being, often

experiencing fear regarding potential sources of harm. This belief centers around the crucial role

of cleanliness in preventing illnesses and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Even my hamster's toys

and belongings evoked a sense of apprehension, given their proximity to areas soiled with urine

and feces. As a result, I avoided direct contact with these objects, driven by my desire to uphold

cleanliness and safeguard my well-being.

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However, through the experiential knowledge gained from personal experiences, I have come to

recognize the transformative power of new knowledge on our values and beliefs. The passing of

my beloved hamster pushed me into a state of profound grief and mourning. I became aware of

the depth of my attachment to my pet and the significance of holding onto anything that would

remind me of our precious bond. The very belongings that were once feared and considered

impure became cherished symbols of our shared memories, prompting a shift in my perspective.

In this process, I embraced the ostrich bias, choosing to overlook any potential negative impact

on my health and instead cherishing what remained of our connection (“Ostrich Effect - the

Decision Lab”).

This personal transformation serves as a compelling testament to the profound impact of

experiential knowledge in reshaping our values and beliefs. It was through the newfound

experiential knowledge of grief and the profound experience of losing something dear that my

values of compassion and appreciation took precedence over my previous emphasis on extreme

health and cleanliness. Initially driven by fear and an unwavering focus on cleanliness, I viewed

the toy as impure and undesirable. However, confronted with loss and the overwhelming

emotional impact it had on me, my perspective underwent a profound shift, embracing love,

acceptance, and the recognition of the toy as a precious link to my departed companion.

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Works cited

At Eternity’s Gate, 1890 by Vincent Van Gogh. www.vincentvangogh.org/at-eternitys-gate.jsp.

---. www.vincentvangogh.org/at-eternitys-gate.jsp.

“Availability Heuristic: It Must Be True if It’s on the Internet!” Academy 4SC, 17 Aug. 2022,

academy4sc.org/video/availability-heuristic-it-must-be-true-if-its-on-the-internet.

Existentialism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). 6 Jan. 2023,

plato.stanford.edu/entries/existentialism.

“How Come the Righteous Are Tested in This World, When Allah Says in the Qur’an ‘We Will

Surely Cause Him to Live a Good Life’ [an-Nahl 16:97]? - Islam Question and Answer.”

Islam Question & Answer,

islamqa.info/en/answers/135711/how-come-the-righteous-are-tested-in-this-world-when-

allah-says-in-the-quran-we-will-surely-cause-him-to-live-a-good-life-an-nahl-1697.

“Ostrich Effect - the Decision Lab.” The Decision Lab, thedecisionlab.com/biases/ostrich-effect.

“Superstition Definition and Meaning | Collins English Dictionary.” Collins Dictionaries, 12

June 2023, www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/superstition.

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Team, Investopedia. “What Is the Bandwagon Effect? Why People Follow the Crowd.”

Investopedia, Feb. 2023, www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bandwagon-effect.asp.

Wikipedia contributors. “At Eternity’s Gate.” Wikipedia, Apr. 2023,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At_Eternity%27s_Gate.

---. “Lock of Hair.” Wikipedia, Apr. 2023,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_of_hair#:~:text=A%20common%20superstition%20holds%

20that,footed%20beast)%20from%20a%20lover.

“Worn Out Vincent Van Gogh, 1882.” Van Gogh Museum,

www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/collection/d0378V1962.

Yamada, Makiko, et al. “Superiority Illusion Arises From Resting-state Brain Networks

Modulated by Dopamine.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the

United States of America, vol. 110, no. 11, National Academy of Sciences, Feb. 2013, pp.

4363–67. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1221681110.