When Facts Change, Smart Minds Change Too — A Lesson from Keynes

There’s no shame in changing your mind, especially when the circumstances change.

The British economist, John Maynard Keynes, was the most influential and celebrated economist of the 20th century – but his detractors complained that his opinions tended to change over the years.

So much so, that it was said in jest: “If Parliament asked six economists for an opinion on any subject they always got seven answers. Two from John Maynard Keynes.”

Once during a high-profile government hearing, a critic accused Keynes of being inconsistent.

Keynes stopped him in his tracks with this legendary riposte:

“When the facts change, I have a tendency to change my mind. What do you do, sir?”

Don’t let anyone guilt you about changing your mind. Consistency is a virtue for trains, not humans.
You are growing and changing, and so are the circumstances – to not change your opinion, at least occasionally, would be the height of foolishness.