Core Convictions
Fundamental Beliefs and Principles
We all have inner feelings, some weak, and some that are strong. There are those feelings that we may chuckle at, or consider that are not much more than whims.
Then there are feelings that are concrete beliefs. These are broad concepts that may include a wide range of ideas. Many times these beliefs are deeply held, so much so that if someone suggested to us about deviating from them, we would say “no way.”
These are thoughts we hold dear. They embody some of our personal values for which we may hold for our whole lifetime.
Core convictions may be personal or more widely held. Examples of convictions might be those related to religion, or faith. They may be philosophical principles. These beliefs are what shapes our identity and how we interpret what we see in the world around us.
Some categories of beliefs may be captured here:
· Personal Beliefs. Those that are based on our personal experiences. This includes the knowledge we have gained, and the values that we hold.
· Cultural Beliefs. These are similar to personal beliefs but ones that are shared by a group or society. These can include traditions, cutoms, and social norms. These are often passed down through generations.
· Religious Beliefs. One’s faith, such as trust in a higher power, and may thus contain hope and optimism for the future. This may include the ability to overcome challenges and adversity. It may be manifest in rituals, prayers, and worship.
· Philosophical Beliefs. These principles may be ways that life progresses, perhaps worldviews. This may be views on existence, morality, and the nature of reality.
We might group these core beliefs into groups so that we can make sense of the world and our experiences.
These are known as:
Extra-personal beliefs – beliefs about how the ‘World works’ This is how the world seems to function surrounding ourselves. “World”
Inter-personal beliefs – these beliefs consider the relationships that we have with other people and also the social context. This includes the mechanics of how social relationships work, the social interactions and social and the settings within which these relationships flourish. “Others”
Intra-personal beliefs – these are beliefs that we have about ourselves. As we grow from a child we nurture introspective beliefs on who we are. “Self”
These beliefs act like a kind of “lens” through which we make sense of our experiences and the world around us. The Venn diagram may show us some visual of these relationships.
With this background, let’s look at those strong convictions that may be generalized. They go through most cultural groups, societies, and have been common over many years and generations. Here are some:
· Integrity. Honesty and Trustworthiness
· Compassion. Empathy and Kindness.
· Respect. The Dignity of all and Courtesy or Politeness
· Responsibility. Being Responsible and Accountable.
· Growth. This includes Continuous Learning and Resilience or Perseverance.
Convictions may provide a moral compass, helping us to navigate the world around us with its complexity and wide selection of choices. If we reflect upon these core convictions we might see our true selves. The core convictions may provide for us a sense of intelligibility of who we are and give us a clear path to our purpose, enabling our ability to make the world a better place.
Next time I will offer my core convictions as an example of what has made life clear to me.
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Inspiring History is a compendium of people we could recognize for their good traits: knowledge, skills, abilities, and intentions that amount to qualities that have made our world a better place. These Portraits in Character offer us examples that we could emulate ourselves for us to also improve the human condition and the world around us.
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Images from public domain.
Beck, J. S. Cognitive Behavior Therapy – Basics and Beyond. (Guilford Press, 2011).
https://www.tranceformpsychology.com/mental-health-psychology/core-beliefs.html
https://www.brightspacecoaching.com/blog/finding-your-purpose-changes-the-world
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Episode 62 3/8/2025
Thanks for reading Inspiring History! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.