In a lively and subversive analysis, psychologist John Lambie explains how to see another person's point of view while remaining critical - in other words how to be 'critically open-minded'. Using entertaining examples from history and psychology, Lambie explores the implications of critical open-mindedness for scientific and moral progress.

Preface 1. How is Human Progress Possible? PART I: CRITICAL OPEN MINDEDNESS: WHAT IS IT? 2. Introducing Critical Open Mindedness 3. Case Study I: Open and Closed Minds - Erasmus v. Luther 4. Previous Approaches to Open Mindedness: From Socrates to Present 5. Summary of the New Model PART II: CRITICAL OPEN MINDEDNESS: WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR? 6. Decision Making, Morality and Well Being 7. Case Study II: Morality -The Levellers and Religious Toleration 8. Case Study III: Science-Galileo and Critical Perspective-Shifting PART III: CRITICAL OPEN MINDEDNESS: WHAT UNDERPINS IT? 9. A History of Open and Closed Societies 10. Psychological amd Biological Roots of Open-Mindedness 11. Case Study IV: Sound Self-Awareness - Jane Austen v. Joseph Stalin PART IV: CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS 12. Defending and Cultivating Critical Open Mindedness 13. Open-Mindedness, Science and Religion 14. Summary and Conclusion