Humans arrive in this world as blank slates—ignorant, uninformed, fundamentally “stupid.” From our earliest moments, interactions with parents, family, peers, and society profoundly shape our understanding of reality. Initially, most individuals—what we might call the ‘auto-believers‘—passively absorb beliefs directly from their surroundings, adopting societal views effortlessly because they offer comfort, familiarity, and social acceptance.
Consider, for example, a child raised in a community with strong religious or cultural traditions. Such a child often internalizes these beliefs without question, embracing them as undeniable truths. As they mature, these absorbed beliefs solidify, forming the foundational structures of their internal world models. Over time, the reinforcement of these beliefs creates increasingly rigid cognitive frameworks, resistant to change and challenging to reconsider. Consequently, by adulthood, these ‘auto-believers’ often instinctively dismiss evidence or data that conflicts with their long-held beliefs, preferring emotional stability and social harmony over intellectual discomfort.
Yet, there exists a distinct minority—what we might call the ‘open to reason‘—individuals who, despite initially absorbing societal beliefs like everyone else, remain fundamentally receptive to reason and evidence. Imagine a young adult from a strongly political household encountering credible data that contradicts their family’s entrenched views. Instead of dismissing this uncomfortable information, this individual chooses courageously to engage with it deeply. They examine the evidence critically, reconsidering their internal world model accordingly, even at the risk of social friction or emotional discomfort.
This deliberate, reasoned approach enables the ‘open to reason’ to construct sophisticated, nuanced, and adaptable internal models. They maintain a unique capacity for ongoing self-reflection and evolution, continually refining their understanding as new information emerges.
In the 3H framework—Happiness, Highness, and Holiness—the dimension of “Highness” represents external recognition such as fame, wealth, or societal achievements. Attaining Highness is essentially winning at “The Game“, achievable by those with exceptional skills and relentless drive, as it requires outcompeting countless others; yet it remains largely disconnected from internal depth. In stark contrast, “Holiness” refers to genuine depth, wisdom, and authenticity, achieved solely through intricate neural connections developed by deliberate and critical engagement with reality.
Admittedly, socially absorbed beliefs are not without practical merit. They enable quick decisions, provide emotional comfort, and foster community cohesion. Yet, when rigidly adhered to, these externally adopted beliefs can severely limit personal growth and genuine understanding.
Ultimately, the critical distinction between the ‘auto-believers’ and the ‘open to reason’ profoundly shapes the trajectory of their lives. The former, bound by rigid internal models shaped by unquestioned beliefs, often remain cut off from the kind of deep understanding and clarity that arise from an internal world grounded in reason and direct experience. Unlike the auto-believers—whose internal world ossifies around unquestioned assumptions—the open to reason continue evolving. Their commitment to questioning and adapting allows them to experience a rare depth of clarity and insight. Perhaps, then, a truly good life is not about choosing one path over another, but about striking a thoughtful balance across all three dimensions of the 3H framework—Happiness, Highness, and Holiness.
LIFE 3H by Alok Gotam 