A meta-analysis on intellectual humility
Matthew Facciani, a social scientist at Notre Dame, shared this study in a post on Threads: Intellectual humility and misinformation receptivity: A meta-analytic review. The basic gist is that a growing body of research shows that intellectual humility (IH) is correlated with less susceptibility to misinformation and greater likelihood to engage in evidence-based behaviors (like taking pandemic precautions and receiving vaccinations).
The introduction states that, "IH refers to a willingness to acknowledge the limitations of one’s viewpoints and remain open to new evidence", and that "it may facilitate the ability or motivation to pause, reflect, and consider the possibility that one’s views are necessarily limited and sometimes even wrong." It's neither gullible nor dogmatic. It is related to stronger critical-thinking abilities and discernment.
As I read the introduction, I couldn't help but think of a number of Bible verses I appreciate. This is far from an exhaustive list of relevant ones:
Hebrews 5:14 But solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their powers of discernment trained to distinguish both right and wrong.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
Isaiah 55:8,9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways," declares Jehovah. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Philippians 2:3,4 Do nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with humility consider others superior to you, as you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Jeremiah 10:23 I well know, O Jehovah, that man's way does not belong to him. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.
These verses remind me that I don't know everything, that my Creator is the highest source of wisdom, and that I benefit from considering the advice of those older or more knowledgeable than myself. They also remind me that I have to keep training my ability to discern between truth and false claims.