"It’s not only important to encourage diversity of viewpoints so new ideas can emerge but also to be confronted with ideas we disagree with, as it 'forces us to clarify and refine our own thoughts,' says Stanford University professor Dan Edelstein.

"Those on social media or watching broadcast news often see only one form of dialogue, which is debate and involves trying to persuade others to one’s point of view with little exchange of ideas, Edelstein explains.

'Really what we want our students to practice, and what I think we need more of in our country and in democracies around the world, is deliberation,' says Edelstein, citing the work of Stanford scholars James Fishkin and Larry Diamond on deliberative democracy. 'It’s a way to frame a disagreement so that you keep the conversation alive and propel it forward, rather than turning it into a clash of viewpoints.'" - Chelcey Adami

Article: How to Disagree Without Fighting