OPINION
The famous philosopher Socrates once said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.”
This phrase is often quoted, yet the context is usually lost.
You see, Socrates’ philosophical work was developed through conversations with others from varying viewpoints.
Longform conversations held in good faith were the cornerstone of his genius insights.
This form of argumentation is called a dialectic and is dependent upon diverse and opposing views.
When Socrates encourages us to examine our lives, he does so with the expectation that we examine our lives within a broader conversation and a wider audience than just ourselves, our ideas, and our worldviews.
Many argue that we, as a culture, have lost our taste for civil discourse, and thus we aim to attack opposing views, and those who hold said views.
We may feel a desire to examine our lives, but only within the paradigm of our already formed values, thus only reinforcing what we already hold to be true and rejecting all else.
As we intellectually isolate ourselves, we only become familiar with the ideas, arguments, and data points within our own perspectives.
This is called an echo chamber.
We do not grow as individuals within these types of scenarios.
Our biases, presuppositions, and conclusions remain unchallenged and weak.
This failure to understand our own weaknesses reveals the need for Socratic exploration.
How do we start to rebuild the civil discourse that Socrates found so important?
First, intellectual curiosity is a must. Stephen Covey suggests, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”
He echoes the sentiments of the wisdom of James, Jesus’ brother, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19, NIV) Next, we need to separate the person from the position. That is to say, people are not their ideas.
Furthermore, you are not likely to influence someone by collapsing them into the limitations of a concept they currently believe.
We need to seek a relationship with people of opposing views, rather than see them as an enemy from another tribe.
When you see value in the individual, you are more likely to value their opinions and thus build lasting rapport.
Lastly, model civility even when others do not.
It is easy to fall into a dehumanizing debate, but you will always “win” when you remain civil and rise above the low blows of ad-hominem attacks.
It has taken years to rend the broader social fabric, and it will likely take years to mend it.
This task can seem daunting, but thankfully you can quickly repair the damage in your personal area of influence.
It only takes kindness, patience, and understanding to develop a reputation for reasonableness rather than retaliation.
The beauty of restoring the social fabric in your sphere of influence is that it has a cascading effect.
Others around you will take note and likely follow suit, in their own unique ways.
Not everyone, but those who truly know you and follow your influence will recognize this new development and begin to change in their own lives.
You will, in no time, notice the shift around you.
You will be equipped to examine your life with the benefit of the perspectives around you.
Smile. Socrates would be proud!
Steve Stanley is a Providence Village resident with a doctorate in ministerial leadership. He can be reached at stevestanleyacoustic@ gmail.com.
