I can't see any other logical conclusion. I did say
new ideas though.
I think it may be more difficult to be open-minded about things we have already considered and formed an opinion about. It's probably easier to be more open-minded about a new piece of information or angle on something that we have already thought about. It's difficult to be open-minded about everything I would think but that needn't mean we aren't open to persuasion as far as I can see.
The difficulty can be that once we have made our mind up on a particular subject, the natural tendency is to defend it. Then, we have taken a position on it and I don't think can be called open-minded. We may still be open-minded about new information on the matter I suppose.
Just thinking this through, for myself, an example might be a person considers Psi to be impossible. I can think of a couple of positions to take:
- It's impossible so everything that seems to support it is either a misunderstanding or fraud, even if I can't see why. - closed minded.
- It's impossible but if you give ask me to consider fresh evidence I will consider it objectively and not simply try to find a way to devalue it - open minded.
- I have not formed an opinion on the matter and am willing to hear evidence - open-minded
- I have not formed an opinion on the matter and am not prepared to discuss it - not sure on this one :)