Intellectual Humility: Science from Coursera

It’s clear that the world needs more intellectual humility. But how do we develop this virtue? And why do so many people still end up so arrogant? Do our own biases hold us back from becoming as intellectually humble as we could be—and are there some biases that actually make us more likely to be humble? Which cognitive dispositions and personality traits give people an edge at being more intellectually humble - and are they stable from birth, learned habits, or something in between? And what can contemporary research on the emotions tell us about encouraging intellectual humility in ourselves and others?

Experts in psychology, philosophy and education are conducting exciting new research on these questions, and the results have important, real-world applications. Faced with difficult questions people often tend to dismiss and marginalize dissent. Political and moral disagreements can be incredibly polarizing, and sometimes even dangerous. And whether it’s Christian fundamentalism, Islamic extremism, or militant atheism, religious dialogue remains tinted by arrogance, dogma, and ignorance. The world needs more people who are sensitive to reasons both for and against their beliefs, and are willing to consider the possibility that their political, religious and moral beliefs might be mistaken. The world needs more intellectual humility.

In this course, we will examine the following major questions about the science of intellectual humility:

• How do we become intellectually humble?

• What can human cognition tell us about intellectual humility?

• How does arrogance develop, and how can we become more open-minded?

• How do emotions affect our ability to be intellectually humble?

All lectures are delivered by leading specialists, and the course is organised around a number of interesting readings and practical assignments which will help you address issues related to humility in your daily life.

This course can be taken as a part of a series which explores the theory, the science and the applied issues surrounding intellectual humility. In the previous course on the theory behind intellectual humility, we considered how to define intellectual humility, the nature of an intellectual virtue, and how we know who is intellectually humble. If you are interested, complete all three courses to gain a broader understanding of this fascinating topic. Look for:

• Intellectual Humility: Theory - https://www.coursera.org/learn/intellectual-humility-theory

• Intellectual Humility: Practice - https://www.coursera.org/learn/intellectual-humility-practice

What's inside

Syllabus

Getting Started

Humility, exploration, and the psychology of child development

Dr Cristine Legare argues that humility is intimately connected to a state of openness to new ideas, and looks at how we can foster this in children. It turns out that what psychologists say makes kids better at exploring, explaining and being open, is not necessarily how they're taught at school!

What makes us arrogant? Biases, heuristics and cognitive psychology

Professor Frank Keil discusses a number of biases which we all have, and which can make us more arrogant and dogmatic by leading us to think that we know more than we actually do. Can you find examples of those biases in the news, and perhaps even in yourself?

Dogmatism and open-mindedness in politics, religion, and life

Professor Victor Ottati (like Dr. Legare before) thinks that humility has a lot to do with being open to new ideas and to things we disagree with. He shows how our ability to be open-minded is related to our personal traits and to specific situations. How open-minded do you think you are about politics, religion, and any other ideas you disagree with?

Humility, emotions and human relations: a view from social psychology

Professor Vasu Reddy suggests that in understanding humility, we should focus on emotions rather than on reason; on what humility feels like, not how we understand it. Humility, she says, is not a special, lofty virtue - it's a commonplace, everyday thing, and it's about being open to engagement with others. Could this help you bring more humility to your daily interactions?

End of course assignments

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores concepts and trends in psychology, philosophy, and education that researchers are actively investigating in real-time

Taught by leading specialists in research on intellectual humility

Covers many aspects and perspectives on intellectual humility

Provides insights that can be useful for personal growth and development

May be beneficial for individuals interested in human cognition, social psychology, ethics, and related fields

Reviews summary

Scientific humility

Learners say that the Intellectual Humility: Science course provides an in-depth look at the concept of intellectual humility. They praise the engaging assignments that help them to apply these concepts to their own lives. Many appreciate the diverse faculty that provides a range of perspectives on intellectual humility. The course emphasizes the importance of listening skills and critical thinking, highlighting the role they play in fostering intellectual humility.

Course stresses the importance of listening skills

"A great course for anyone who is genuinely interested in developing listening skills for those times when listening is hard."

"This course encourages you to not only look at how others behave but also how you behave when in certain conversations."

"Regardless of our standing in life, ... our biological commonalities ... leave room for "errors" that can wreak havoc if left unchecked."

Learners value the course's diverse faculty

"An exceptional and diverse faculty are able to bring a unique understanding of cultural biases and behaviors."

"The course starts from the basic language of logical and critical thinking and explains with abundance of details how these processes could go wrong and what the causes are."

"This course mainly helped me to have a broader vision of the human characteristics involved with humility, which go beyond the cognitive aspects."

Learners emphasize the value of critical thinking

"The course starts from the basic language of logical and critical thinking and explains with abundance of details how these processes could go wrong and what the causes are."

"While the first course in the series ("Intellectual Humility: Theory") provides working definitions as a reliable frame of reference ... this course offers empirical underpinnings of the virtue (or the lack thereof) that is intellectual humility."

"This course sheds light on intellectual humility from scientifc point of view and leads my interest to the sister course of practice."

Course emphasizes the value of intellectual humility

"This course help to enhance human thinking perspectives."

"I believe this course is very important."

"A great course and something we need in this world."

Learners appreciate the course's real-world applications

"I learned about humility in science that I can apply in my daily life."

"This course explains a lot of things about Intellectual Humility regarding its origin and causes in order to understand how it develops, and how to try to avoid it."

"This was a really informative course, and it really helped to draw attention to the various biases and heuristics which make people arrogant."

One learner reports not receiving a course certificate

"Concluí o curso e fui aprovado, porém não recebi o certificado, apesar de ter a bolsa."

Some learners note a disconnect between weekly content

"I like the value that the course deliver, but each week is somewhat disconnected"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Intellectual Humility: Science with these activities:

Compile a list of resources on intellectual humility

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Compiling resources on intellectual humility will give you a solid set of references that will enhance your learning as you progress through the course.

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Use a search engine to find resources on intellectual humility.
Save the resources to a bookmark list or document.

Review your notes on intellectual humility

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Reviewing your existing knowledge of intellectual humility will strengthen concepts learned in the course.

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Take out your notes on intellectual humility.
Review the notes and identify any areas where you need to improve.

Review the concept of intellectual humility

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Reviewing intellectual humility will help refresh your memory and strengthen its importance to your work in the course.

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Read the course materials on intellectual humility.
Take notes on the key points.
Review your notes regularly.

Five other activities

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Read Mindware: Tools for Smart Thinking

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This book will give you a deeper understanding of intellectual humility.

View Mindware on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes.
Discuss the book with other students or a study group.
Write a summary of the book.

Watch videos about intellectual humility

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Watching videos on intellectual humility will help you learn more about the topic and its relevance to your life.

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Find videos about intellectual humility on YouTube or other video sharing platforms.
Watch the videos and take notes.

Discuss intellectual humility with other students

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Discussing intellectual humility with others will help you better understand the concept.

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Find other students who are interested in discussing intellectual humility.
Meet with the other students to discuss the topic.

Practice identifying intellectual humility in real-life situations

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Practicing identifying intellectual humility will make you more aware of the concept and its importance.

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Identify a situation where you observed intellectual humility.
Describe the situation and explain how intellectual humility was demonstrated.

Create a blog post about intellectual humility

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Creating a blog post will help you explore the topic of intellectual humility.

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Choose a topic for your blog post.
Research your topic and gather evidence.
Write your blog post.
Publish your blog post.

Career center

Learners who complete Intellectual Humility: Science will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

University Professor

University professors teach and conduct research at higher education institutions. The course's exploration of intellectual humility can help professors promote critical thinking, foster intellectual curiosity, and encourage students to engage in respectful and open-minded dialogue. By understanding the psychology of arrogance and openness, professors can create a learning environment that values intellectual humility.

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Psychologist

Psychologists study human behavior and mental processes. Intellectual humility is crucial for psychologists as it encourages them to question their assumptions, consider alternative perspectives, and remain open to new research and evidence. The course's insights into cognitive biases and emotional influences can help psychologists conduct unbiased research and provide effective therapy to clients.

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Mediator

Mediators facilitate discussions and negotiations between parties in conflict. Intellectual humility is essential for mediators, as it helps them remain neutral, listen attentively, and consider multiple perspectives. The course's exploration of the psychology of empathy and open-mindedness can help mediators facilitate constructive dialogue and find mutually acceptable solutions.

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Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Diversity and inclusion managers develop and implement strategies to create a diverse and inclusive workplace. Intellectual humility is important for diversity and inclusion managers, as it helps them understand the experiences and perspectives of different employees and develop effective programs to promote equity and belonging. The course's focus on cognitive biases and open-mindedness can help diversity and inclusion managers build a more welcoming and inclusive work environment.

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Political Scientist

Political scientists study political systems, institutions, and behaviors. Intellectual humility is important in this field, as it helps political scientists avoid biases, consider different perspectives, and engage in constructive dialogue. The course's exploration of the psychology of dogmatism and open-mindedness can help political scientists analyze political events and policies with greater objectivity.

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Diplomat

Diplomats represent their countries in foreign affairs and negotiate with other governments. Intellectual humility is crucial for diplomats, as it helps them understand different cultures, perspectives, and interests. The course's exploration of the psychology of empathy and open-mindedness can help diplomats build bridges between nations and resolve conflicts peacefully.

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Community Organizer

Community organizers work with community members to address social issues and improve their quality of life. Intellectual humility is important for community organizers, as it helps them listen to diverse perspectives, build consensus, and develop effective strategies. The course's focus on cognitive biases and open-mindedness can help community organizers engage with residents in a meaningful and inclusive way.

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Public Policy Analyst

Public policy analysts research and analyze public policies and make recommendations to government officials. Intellectual humility is important for public policy analysts, as it helps them consider different perspectives, evaluate evidence objectively, and develop sound policy proposals. The course's focus on cognitive biases and open-mindedness can help public policy analysts produce well-informed and unbiased research.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit managers lead and manage nonprofit organizations that provide social services, advocacy, and support. Intellectual humility is important for nonprofit managers, as it helps them understand the needs of their clients, collaborate effectively with stakeholders, and allocate resources wisely. The course's exploration of cognitive biases and open-mindedness can help nonprofit managers make informed decisions and manage their organizations with integrity.

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Social Worker

Social workers help individuals and families navigate social and economic challenges. Intellectual humility is important for social workers, as it helps them understand the diverse needs of their clients and work effectively with them. The course's exploration of cognitive biases and open-mindedness can help social workers provide compassionate and culturally sensitive support.

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Teacher

Teachers impart knowledge, concepts, and skills to students in primary and secondary education. This role involves fostering intellectual growth and critical thinking, which aligns well with the course's focus on intellectual humility. By understanding the cognitive biases and emotional factors that influence our beliefs, teachers can promote open-mindedness and evidence-based reasoning in their students.

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Journalist

Journalists gather, analyze, and report on news and current events. Intellectual humility is essential for journalists as it encourages them to seek out multiple sources, verify information, and present diverse perspectives. The course's focus on cognitive biases and open-mindedness can help journalists produce fair and accurate reporting.

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Lawyer

Lawyers advise clients on legal matters and represent them in court. Intellectual humility is important for lawyers, as it helps them recognize the limits of their knowledge, consider different legal arguments, and negotiate effectively. The course's focus on cognitive biases and open-mindedness can help lawyers avoid tunnel vision and develop a more holistic understanding of the legal system.

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Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers oversee the recruitment, hiring, and development of employees in an organization. Intellectual humility is important for human resources managers, as it helps them understand the diverse needs of employees, create a positive work environment, and manage conflict effectively. The course's exploration of cognitive biases and open-mindedness can help human resources managers make fair and informed decisions and build a strong and inclusive workforce.

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Counselor

Counselors provide guidance and support to individuals facing personal, social, or emotional challenges. The course's exploration of intellectual humility can help counselors develop empathy, self-awareness, and a non-judgmental approach. By understanding their own biases and limitations, counselors can create a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their beliefs and make informed decisions.

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