"Important truths begin as outrageous, or at least uncomfortable, attacks upon the accepted wisdom of the time."

The introduction of new ideas and theories is inevitable in the course of human progress. Whether it is in the scientific, the socio-political or the philosophical sphere, new truths or ideas are always generated to challenge old conventions. However, these introductions of new ideas and theories are often met with dissent and incredulity. I am in concordance with the statement presented by the author for there is a recurrent pattern in history that proves that new ideas are often met with rebellion and opposition. Also, new truths are also seen as a personal attack on societal established habits and beliefs.

Looking through the threads of human history, there is a recurrent pattern where new concepts have always been challenged by people who have held on to traditional wisdom. For example, Darwin’s theory of evolution has been disputed for years. Not only that, the debate is still ongoing. Religious groups have figuratively stoned the idea, calling it heretic and blasphemous. It was difficult for the religious to believe in the possibility that man might have originated from primates and not from the hands of God. The same pattern is recurrent in other areas of societal development as well. In psychology, Sigmund Freud’s theories on psychosexual development also received much opposition and controversy when it was introduced in a very conservative Victorian era.

One of the main reasons that new truths are often seen as iconoclastic is the fact that it is seen as an attack on the established attitudes and beliefs of man. Humans are creatures of habit and established beliefs. Often times their framework of understanding are fed by the current society at the time. The introduction of a new idea, whether it be proven true or not, shakes the foundation of their understanding and creates a dissonance between their established perceptions and reality. That dissonance creates fear and confusion. Not only that, new truths are often also seen as an attack on powers of authority. As an example, the advent of the Renaissance era was seen as rebellion against the institution of church and traditional paradigm.

Change is inevitable. We do not live in a static world. We progress by building on conventional wisdom and constantly testing and retesting its validity in order to achieve greater heights. Important truths, though often deemed as outrageous when initially introduced, eventually integrates into the accepted wisdom of the time. There are many theories that were once challenged during its time which are now considered commonplace.

In summary, there have been evidence in history to prove that important truths have often been met with opposition from people who hold on to conventional ideas. This is due to the fact that people have established habits and beliefs, and introduction of new ideas are seen as an attack on them.