answer:Ego can block a person from exploring to learn; I am not sure that it is the ‘comfort zone’ that you suggest, as much as it is self-image. if a person thinks he is ‘right’ (whatever that means) than anything that would question that ‘rightness’ is a threat to the self image and therefore suspect. We may be saying the same thing in two different ways. The greater threat is religion (and dogma: preconceived and unquestioned assumptions). A person who has been brainwashed into accepting certain assumptions, without examining their underlying truth, is much more likely to reject any exploration and learning that might possibly threaten their belief system. The problem, however, is that unquestioned dogma can itself be dangerous if followed to the extreme. In a way, religious dogma is an extension of ego, so perhaps these are very similar after all. The short answer to your question is YES.