Would you say it is true that the less you consider someone else's viewpoint the weaker your viewpoint is?

Question

Is it true that is you never even try to see something from another's eyes that your view of things is weaker or should you only go by what you think and no one else? Why do you think this and how do you think looking through someone else's eyes or not, has to do with politics?

Answer 1

You are absolutely right. I certainly go out of my way to and think I understand the motives and idea's of my opponents.
Sometimes, I'd even dare to say often even better than they themselves. I like to look at issue's from all sides, tilt the issue, look at it that way flip it over a few times and then have a look at it. I know the Conservative viewpoint. I could set up a conservative profile here and be very popular. I also WANT to know their idea's and where they come from. What makes them tick.
Too many people are too afraid they might "loose" the argument or their convictions to question and continue to question everything including themselves.

Answer 2

I cannot speak for others but I personally DO try to see another person's point of view. Even if I strongly disagree with someone I assume that person has a benevolent reason for believing what he or she believes. This I think is vital. In a political debate it is vital to ALWAYS assume your opponent has a benevolent purpose.

Two problems that exist in political debate today are 1. Too many people assume their political opponents have a nefarious reason for their views and 2. Too many people think in a right - left strait line paradigm. Not everyone falls along such a narrowly defined line. If you would like to see a more accurate representation of the political landscape click on the link below.

Answer 3

When making a decision it is of the utmost importance to be able to see the situation from perspectives other then your own. If you do not do this, then you will never understand why the other person has a different opinion in the first place. Rather than just saying that they are wrong, it is better to try to understand why they think that they are right. That way you demonstrate to them why they are mistaken, and then they might actually change their mind. If you just tell them they are wrong, then they will have no reason to change their mind, because you have not proven anything to them.
Also understanding an opponents argument is key to making your argument stronger. Because your opponent will always attack where your argument is weakest, by understanding your opponents argument you can see where your own argument is weak and then take steps to strengthen it. If you just ignore your opponent then you will never be able to strengthen your own argument.

this is important in politics, because politics are a long chain of arguments made by people who have very different view points. Therefore in politics it is best to try to understand all your opponents view points, so that you can argue your own more effectively.

"The mark of an enlightened man is to be able to defend an argument that he does not entertain"

Answer 4

Politics is the art of compromise. It is impossible, or nearly so, to get exactly what you want out of a political situation. The way to get as much of your way as you can is to undertand the other side and try to come up with a solution that fits everyone. You can't understand if you don't even consider how they see things, and why they think the way they do.

To me, this form of tunnel-vision indicates weakness by showing cowardice. I think that the only reason someone would flatly refuse to consider other views is because they know, on some deep level, that their view is wrong.

Answer 5

No, if the other person is wwrong then " considering their viewpoint" is a waste of time and in no way weakenss your own position. Thats just another one of those urban legend sayings like " if you don't like homosexuals you must be one yourself" it makes no sense and is only an opinion held by morons with no moral compass.

Answer 6

weaker?.. I would say narrowed

If you consider everyone else's viewpoint, then you would be open minded.

Answer 7

yes! if you consider anothers argument in relation to yours, you are being pragmatic, second it gives you an advantage in debating someone whose opinion differs from your own, and third, others might think you are wise about something.
(remember ; Pain make man think, thought make man wise and wisdom make life endurable.)

Answer 8

Some points of view are so absurd that they aren't worth paying attention to-

the holocaust never happened
the earth is 6,000 years old
evolution isn't true
the earth is flat
etc...

Answer 9

To a certain extent. However, once you are a grown up there is right and wrong and there is no room for gray matter to muck up laws that have been in place for years.

Answer 10

yes