This is one of the core premises of the upcoming new book, The Way Of Questions.
It contrasts with notions that we are shaped by the nature or nurture of our families, social networks or society. Deep understanding of ourselves is not a function of having enough opinions about ourselves, or trying to take the opinions of others about us seriously. It comes from knowing the questions that define us.
The most defining questions can only be inferred through our beliefs. Our beliefs are answers to the questions that define us. If we want to cultivate any new sensibilities or proclivities, we must cultivate new questions that make these possible.