People will believe almost anything, and that’s a dangerous reality. It’s no wonder why con artists succeed or why crooked politicians can lie and increase in popularity. We tend to believe what we want to be true. We’re all susceptible to sometimes letting self-interest, greed, fear, and ignorance get in the way of truth. 

A few reminders:

• Study a broad range of subjects. Going in-depth into every subject isn’t necessary, but understanding the main themes is important. 
• Always assume information is missing.
• Spend time alone in quiet contemplation. Allow your mind to process the things it has been taking in.
• Recognize that everyone, including yourself, has biases and that they’re likely deeper than you think. 
• Consult your emotions, but don’t allow them to lead the way.
• Like a good judge or investigator, make sure you look at all the evidence and listen to each side of the story. Be willing to re-open the case if new evidence comes to light. 
• Consider if you need to change your environment. Erroneous beliefs get reinforced in an environment where people are discouraged from having differing views.