I’d like to know how you handle or would like to handle, opposing or conflicting perspectives on any given topic, while maintaining a civilized and respectful discourse.
Personally, as an 18 yo, I think this is the best tool I need in my toolkit, to maintain diplomatic relations and navigating life with a strategic methodology.
All thoughtful insights are welcome!
Comments
Close to impossible. Best to avoid it. Or be prepared to single handedly take down an army that is immune to common sense.
It’s always healthy to keep in mind that everyone has a difference of opinion and whether or not you will agree with it, they’re entitled to that opinion. It’s just called diversity. It is not your responsibility to change someone’s mind or perspective. And unfortunately was society today, no one’s willing to look at things from different perspectives because today’s society has taught everyone that they are always correct. I’m from an older generation where we could debate things in a very civil manner.
On the receiving end it’s very easy, just take it in stride, acknowledge it but still disagree with it if you want. However, many many people take any sort of contrary perspective as a personal attack while taking your acknowledgement of their point as a weakness in your conviction.
Come to the realization that neither your individual opinion or theirs matters much at all, so it’s not really necessary to bring your ego into it
1st to get mad loses. That’s how I think of it
It’s very easy to disagree with someone, but can be hard to discuss it with them. You need to come from a place of understanding that their view is formed from their experiences. Acknowledge their position and state how yours differs. Just like any disagreement show respect for their position and if things start to get heated, take a break. Also remember you can disagree without having to change their mind.
The subreddit /r/changemyview used to have good resources for changing someone’s view.
Get a third party to side with you
Be okay with other people being wrong—and with the possibility that you might be too.
Constantly ask yourself why you believe and think what you do.
With very rare exceptions, the people you talk to are not your enemies.
Care more about the person you’re speaking to than about your ideals.
When you come across news or articles you disagree with, read them all the way to the end.
Three steps for me, that I repeat as necessary
This is what I believe, can you see why I believe it?
What do you believe, can you explain why you believe it?
Let’s compare sources of information to see where the disagreement begins
The conclusion for these conversations is either me and the person I’m talking with decide to agree to disagree, they get angry and refuse to keep talking about the topic, or one of us realizes we were working with incorrect or outdated info and we change our perspective
If they get too angry and refuse to keep talking, I eventually let those people drift out my life. There isn’t room for people in my life who use fear and anger to fill in the hole of logic or reason
I like to hear them out completely without letting them know my stance otherwise they’ll get defensive and close up.
Socrates had a method where he would continuously ask questions leading them to question themselves or lead them to the answer he already knew.
It’s genius because it makes the person feel like they came up with it.
People have an Ego. Even if you are 100% right in a matter most people don’t have it in them to put their ego aside and admit they were wrong.
“It is the mark of an educated mind to entertain a thought without accepting it”