"… as a graduate student I wrote a critique of an important political philosopher. It was clear that I disagreed with him. My professor told me that my paper was good, but not good enough. Before you launch into your criticism, she said, you must first present the strongest case for the position you are opposing, one that the philosopher himself could accept. I redid the paper. I still had important differences with the philosopher, but I understood him better, and I saw the strengths and virtues, as well as limitations, of his belief. I learned a lesson that I’ve applied across the spectrum of my life."
Several years ago I heard and was impressed by the wisdom and spirit of an address by one Robert S. Wood, from which I share the above quotation and the following extracts:
"We appear to be living in an era in which many are speaking without thinking, encouraging emotional reactions rather than thoughtful responses.
"The first casualties of human wrath are truth and understanding. James counseled that we be “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
"Do we pause to understand the seemingly different positions of others and seek, where possible, common ground?
"General Andrew Jackson, as he walked along the line at the Battle of New Orleans, said to his men, “Gentlemen, elevate your guns a little lower!” I think many of us need to elevate our “guns” a little lower. On the other hand, we need to raise the level of private and public discourse. We should avoid caricaturing the positions of others, constructing “straw men,” if you will, and casting unwarranted aspersions on their motivations and character. We need ... to uphold honest, wise, and good men and women wherever they are found and to recognize that there are “among all sects, parties, and denominations” those who are “kept from the truth ... because they know not where to find it.” Would we hide that light because we have entered into the culture of slander, of stereotyping, of giving and seeking offense?
"It is far too easy sometimes to fall into a spirit of mockery and cynicism in dealing with those of contrary views. We demoralize or demean so as to bring others or their ideas in contempt.
"Closely related to mockery is a spirit of cynicism. Cynics are disposed to find and to catch at fault. Implicitly or explicitly, they display a sneering disbelief in sincerity and rectitude.
“Whenever your politics cause you to speak unkindly [of others] …, know this, that you are upon ... [questionable] ground.' (George Albert Smith)"
"Wherever we live in the world, we have been molded as a people to be the instruments of the Lord’s peace.
"'We can give our opinions on the merit of the situation as we see it, but never let us become a party to words or works of evil concerning our brothers and sisters in various nations on one side or the other. Political differences never justify hatred or ill will. with another during times of trouble, regardless of what loyalties they may have to different governments or parties.' (Gordon B. Hinckley)”