Whenever
I debate with friends and family over differing political views, I always feel
amazed at how difficult it is for me to persuade them over something that seems
deeply obvious to me. I grow incredulous
over their stupidity, ignorance, or nerve to take the opposing position, one
that seems riddled with errors and prejudice.
But if their argument seems so blatantly weak or wrong, why can’t I
convince them to see the light?
What
should it take to sway another?
*Passion
and emotion
*Facts
and statistics
*Slogans
and catchy phrases
*Good
intentions and strong ideas
The
problem is, the opposing side will come back at you with the same thing.
Then
you end up just shouting at each other, restating, if not repeating, your best
statements, and growing frustrated with every passing moment.
Perhaps
you change tactics and break it down, point by point, looking to attack the
weakest point and build from there. But
something is blocking others from agreeing with you – or even understanding
you.
So,
if you were to write a book on a controversial issue – abortion, gun control,
or equal rights – what would be the best way to do this? It depends on your goals. There are different kinds of people out
there:
·
People
who agree with you.
Your
book will reaffirm their beliefs and inspire them to action.
·
People
who are unaware of the issues/sides.
Your
book can persuade them, especially absent the voice of the other side.
·
People
who disagree but are open to change.
Your
book can convince people who are uncertain or only lightly supportive of the
other side.
·
People
who disagree and will not change their minds, unless something fundamental to
their argument is shown to be false.
Your book likely won't win over those that oppose you unless you have a big surprise for them.
You
don’t just want a book that preaches to the choir. You need to bend over backwards to think of
how the opposing side views things and to go, point by point, to show there is
another way to see things. In the end,
you are debating beliefs, philosophies, and instincts as much as you are
history, facts, or statistics.
Too
often we look to defend that what we know is right. We need to keep an open mind and look, not to
stay stuck in our ways, but to find compromise and common ground.
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