Obstinacy for Dummies

Obstinacy is a term used to describe someone's persistent refusal to change their thoughts, behaviors, or opinions, even when faced with evidence or suggestions that indicate they may be incorrect or in need of adjustment. It's like when you strongly believe in something and won't budge or listen to others, even if they provide logical arguments or evidence that contradict your beliefs.

Imagine you and your friend are arguing about whether it will rain tomorrow or not. You firmly believe it will rain, while your friend thinks it won't. Despite your friend showing you the weather forecast which clearly states that it will be sunny, you stick to your belief and refuse to consider any other perspective. That's obstinacy!

Sometimes, obstinacy can be seen as stubbornness or a refusal to compromise or listen to others' opinions. It's like when you have your heart set on playing a specific video game after school, but your parents suggest doing homework first. If you insist that you won't do your homework until you have played, even though your parents explain their reasoning for wanting you to do it first, then you are displaying obstinacy.

It's important to note that being obstinate is different from having strong convictions or beliefs. Having strong convictions means firmly believing in something without necessarily refusing to consider other perspectives or evidence. Obstinate people tend to be so stubborn and resistant to change that it can sometimes hinder their ability to grow or adapt to new information.

So, obstinacy is all about persistently sticking to your own ideas or beliefs without being open-minded or willing to consider other points of view. It's like holding on tightly to a rope and refusing to let go, even when someone is trying to pull you towards another direction.