As long as people have beliefs, then they will have biases. The people who are aware of their biases are in a position to be objective. The people who are unaware of their biases will find it impossible to be objective.
You see, people’s beliefs shape their worldview and, inevitably, introduce biases. Since beliefs are woven into their understanding of reality, they can’t easily be separated from how they interpret information or make judgments. But awareness of these biases becomes a pivotal factor in how objective they can be.
Those who recognise their biases are in a better position to question them, to create a mental “distance” that allows them to evaluate situations more impartially. This self-awareness fosters humility, encouraging people to consider that their perspective isn’t absolute. It opens the door to open-mindedness and objectivity because they’re actively managing the influence of their own beliefs.
On the other hand, when biases are invisible to people, they subtly control their perceptions and judgments. Unawareness of these biases, people may mistake their subjective views as objective truths, which narrows their understanding and limits their ability to empathise or consider alternative viewpoints.
So, you see, self-awareness is key to objectivity and just about everything else that happens in your life.
P.S. How you feel about strangers is a direct reflection of your biases.
