Of a state of mind that acknowledges that which one has not yet experienced with acceptance and curiosity. The open minded person naturally embodies the phrase "Don't knock it till you try it." And generally has a positive
opinion of most things and people and ideas.
Not to be confused with
Tolerance, which is the acknowledgement of that which one has not yet experienced and the willingness to tolerate and allow its existence, but with no I ward acceptance of it as a desirable
thing.
Tolerance may owtwardly feign open mindedness in some cases but the
two rarely coexist because where there is open mindedness there is no need for tolerance.
Person 1: Look at those gays over there holding
hands, they should keep that behind closed doors.
Person 2: Why don't you be more
open minded?
Person 1: I am, I know everybody has the right to do
whatever they want, but I don't have to like it.
Person 2: No, you're not open minded, you're just tolerant. There's a difference.