Insightful take; love the two illustrations. I'll say, just as you observe, civility is the necessary starting point - necessary but far from sufficient. The KKK guy's example does illustrate the dilemma well: people who you can find ways to interact with but who, by virtue of being members of certain institutions and espousing certain beliefs, cannot possibly get along with in the long run (due to legitimate fundamental reasons).
I guess the point is to embrace civility (and other starting points) while at the same time appreciating their limitations. Not all preliminaries take things anywhere, but things usually won't start without such. Thanks, Johanna, this was an insightful read.
Yes civility is necessary for starting a conversation. We won't get anywhere without civility but it is totally insufficient in problem solving, especially highly consequential matters.
Insightful take; love the two illustrations. I'll say, just as you observe, civility is the necessary starting point - necessary but far from sufficient. The KKK guy's example does illustrate the dilemma well: people who you can find ways to interact with but who, by virtue of being members of certain institutions and espousing certain beliefs, cannot possibly get along with in the long run (due to legitimate fundamental reasons).
I guess the point is to embrace civility (and other starting points) while at the same time appreciating their limitations. Not all preliminaries take things anywhere, but things usually won't start without such. Thanks, Johanna, this was an insightful read.
Thank you for your kind words, Patrick!
Yes civility is necessary for starting a conversation. We won't get anywhere without civility but it is totally insufficient in problem solving, especially highly consequential matters.