Few people in today's world would admit that they don't have an open mind.

When it comes to religion, politics, morals, and rules of behaviour, most people's ideas are pretty much set in stone. If somebody starts talking in a way that sounds like an opposing view, the vast majority of us would simply switch off our ears and wait for a chance to use our mouths.

But overcoming the weight of in-built attitude of always assuming the moral and knowledge high-ground is difficult for most people. It's so much easier just to stubbornly keep insisting that they're right and anyone who disagrees must be evil and/or stupid.

Here's a good trick for overcoming this disability. When you get into a discussion about difficult beliefs - religion, politics, moral codes and so on - ask yourself this one simple question.

What evidence would it take to convince me my beliefs are wrong?