Not sure about this - according to Kant, we all have a certain duty when we try to correct others' beliefs. That duty is to not characterise others' beliefs as "absurdities" or "poor judgement" but to suppose their views "contain some truth". This article does have some useful reflections though:
- a key factor in persuasion is gaining someone's attention
- another factor is the need for social belonging
- which means the persuader must be mindful to maintaining the other's social dignity
- it's usually helpful to slow down the conversation.
This seems to support what Waleed Ali wrote last week
about dealing with male violence - an opinion that prompted a significant backlash.
Thoughts? (write to president@rationalist.com.au)
