Richard Golian

1995-born. Charles University alum. Head of Performance at Mixit. 10+ years in marketing and data.

#myjourney #myfamily #health #cognition #philosophy #digital #artificialintelligence #darkness #security #finance #politics #banskabystrica #carpathians

Castellano Slovenčina

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AI sales forecast: 9 traps so far

Yesterday I could not tear myself away from the computer. When I lifted my head, it was half past eight in the evening. I had been sitting alone upstairs for about three hours.
25 April 2026 291

Will AI take my job?

Will AI take my job? A certified Google trainer told me in June 2024 that my profession would cease to exist. Twenty-two months later, my job title has not changed — but ninety percent of what I do during the day is different. I have delegated more of my thinking to AI agents than I thought possible. I am not afraid. This is why, and what it means for anyone asking the same question.
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Richard Golian

Hi, I am Richard. On this blog, I share thoughts, personal stories — and what I am working on. I hope this article brings you some value.

Doubt vs. Determination: Striking the Right Balance

Is it better to doubt or to act with determination?

By Richard Golian

Listen to this article
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Is it better to doubt or to act with determination?

I extend my respect to the moderates and the curious minds amongst us – those who relentlessly seek understanding, whether in the realm of human interactions or in the pursuit of unravelling nature's mysteries. I admire thinkers like Cicero and Erasmus, champions of moderation in an age of emotional beliefs. I would rather listen to a moderate person who tends to doubt than a fanatic. A fanatic seldom tries to understand more deeply; he believes.

However, we must also recognise the significance of those who hold strong beliefs and are determined to act on them. They can change their lives and the world for the better in this way. They wield the power to influence (positively) individuals and entire crowds.

An argument for doubt

This part is a continuation of the post: How I became a child again. I describe there how I began to doubt some things during my university studies.

Richard Golian
Charles University

Challenging erroneous ideas through scepticism brings us closer to true knowledge than any other approach I have encountered thus far. That is why I hold these principles dear:

Summary

Theories can only be disproven, not confirmed. Information exists within context. Excessive doubt undermines action. Excessive conviction stops thinking. My synthesis: listen carefully to the moderate and reflective, but act with those determined to achieve a common goal.
Richard Golian

If you have any thoughts, questions, or feedback, feel free to drop me a message at mail@richardgolian.com.

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Common questions on this article's topic

Is it better to doubt or to act with determination?
Neither extreme is ideal. In the article, both are presented as valuable but in different contexts. Doubt brings us closer to truth through scepticism and careful thinking. Determination enables action and change. The synthesis: listen carefully to the moderate and reflective, but act with those who are determined to achieve a common goal.
What is Karl Popper's falsifiability principle?
Popper argued that no theory can be definitively confirmed — it can only be definitively disproven. A theory gains credibility not by accumulating supporting evidence but by surviving rigorous attempts to disprove it. In the article, this principle is listed as one of the core intellectual commitments: evaluate theories based on the possibilities they offer for refutation, not on the certainty they claim.
Why can excessive doubt be harmful?
In the article, it is acknowledged that an insatiable desire for deeper understanding can dampen the zeal for decisive action and erode motivation. This tension is observed both personally and among fellow university students. While intellectual humility is valuable, at some point action is required — and perpetual reflection without commitment can become its own form of paralysis.
Why can excessive conviction be harmful?
Because a fanatic seldom tries to understand more deeply — they believe. In the article, unyielding conviction is described as an obstacle to thinking, alongside the dogma of relativism. The article draws on the tradition of Cicero and Erasmus, both known as champions of moderation, to argue that the best thinkers maintain space for doubt even while acting decisively.
What does it mean that information is always an interpretation?
This principle, rooted in hermeneutic philosophy developed by Gadamer, holds that we never encounter raw information — we always understand it within a context shaped by our prior experience, assumptions, and situation. In the article, this is listed as a core commitment: recognising that all understanding is contextual guards against both naive certainty and corrosive relativism.
How do you choose who to work with?
In the article, the answer is clear: choose determined people. Listen carefully to the moderate and reflective — they sharpen your thinking. But when it is time to act, work with those who share a common goal and are committed to achieving it. Doubt refines the plan. Determination executes it.