The importance of humility

I've been reflecting during the past days about the importance of humility. I've realized its importance goes beyond moral and religious grounds into the more profane world of politics and science.

Recently, on January 8th, 397 years of Galileo Galilei's death were celebrated. Today Galileo is considered the father of modern science; nonetheless this would not have been possible if he wasn't humble. Humility is, at the end, recognizing the fact that we may be wrong in what we think, believe, and state. By recognizing this we acknowledge the fact that our counterpart (whoever we are debating or dicussing with; be it the Church, the opposing political party, our fellow peers at school or work, etc.) may be indeed right.

If we are humble we may exercise tolerance, and hence in recognizing the possibility that we may be erred (as humans, imperfection is part of our nature) we will not want to impose our view (religious, scientific, political, or whatever) over others, but wish to discuss it and in any case try to convice them (not through coercitive methods). As we can see, humility is not only a Chrisitian value, but a Classical liberal one.

Humility is indeed the motor for progress. It makes us open ourselves to doubt and to discussion, which lead to the development of knowledge. But don't listen to me, I may wrong.