Everyone of good heart would agree on this: all our societies need more civil discourse. Wikipedia describes it pretty well, I think, as "conversation intended to enhance understanding."
It requires "respect of the other participants," and "neither diminishes the other person's moral worth nor questions their good judgment."
It happens when you and another party talk about issues where you both seek to understand each other as well as the truth about the situation, and are willing to refrain from name-calling, insults, and rage. A politician and I enjoyed just this kind of talk a week ago when she came knocking on doors in our neighborhood.
Here's a potent example on the national scale. Two people on opposite sides of a red-hot issue were able to become friends - amazing. Dan Cathy (Chic-fil-A) bravely started the conversation and Shane Windmeyer bravely entered into it.
More civil discourse, please.
No comments:
Post a Comment