8. Near the end of the book, while Pangloss was “being hanged, and dissected, and beaten, and made to row in a galley,” he still holds firm to his original views that this is the best of all possible worlds. “I am a philosopher after all. It would not do for me to recant” (p. 88). What are the dangers in holding beliefs that are impermeable to reality, that do not alter according to actual experience?

The disadvantages of holding onto beliefs that conflict with reality can make you naive on whats actually happening and you can possibly avoid situations by simply not having them. A belief similar to Pangloss’s belief of Earth being the best possible world, can make you go through situations that can leave you dumbfounded and confused about whats actually the truth. An example of this was when Pangloss gets hanged, beaten, and made to work in the galley, he still insists that he has the best possible life. When you have a belief, you should be aware of the beliefs that are the opposite of it and be open minded to other beliefs even thought you don't believe them. I think situations and their lessons should influence what you believe in.