tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068337752190544903.post9159514463034009309..comments2023-04-26T04:39:06.645-04:00Comments on Ponderings of a Catholic Hippo: My Thoughts on the Power of PersuasionTeresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16040553825059591114noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068337752190544903.post-86654157296621546262009-10-19T20:15:49.574-04:002009-10-19T20:15:49.574-04:00I do agree that having an openness to listen to o...I do agree that having an openness to listen to others enhances the dialogue. Although, more often than not, when I have listened to others points of view, and then I conveyed my different point of view to them, they just end up mocking me or attacking me for believing in certain principles and values. And, its almost like their trying to tear me down, into changing what I believe. I do believe that you can learn from being open to the opposite point of view. That way you can get an understanding on why the person believes as they do and how they reach that belief.Teresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16040553825059591114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068337752190544903.post-56256004739635751902009-10-19T19:32:26.595-04:002009-10-19T19:32:26.595-04:00Holding, expressing, and defending one’s positions...Holding, expressing, and defending one’s positions and convictions is certainly an important part of the art of persuasion. I don’t remember ever debating anyone who argued otherwise. A wishy-washy disposition about one’s positions doesn’t communicate much basis for accepting their veracity. Wishy-washiness doesn’t persuade. I would hasten to add, though, that a hospitable openness to listen to others and an inclination to learn from them enhances dialogue, and, in my experience, helps convince others to listen to what one has to say. I cannot expect others to listen to me if I do not listen to them. I cannot expect others to learn from me if I am unwilling to learn from them. Persuasion aims at truth, and no one person or group has a monopoly on that. I’d say the best debates in which I’ve engaged resulted in both me and the other gaining a better understanding of truth and a better appreciation of one another’s understanding of truth.Kyle Cupphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14607703830461449390noreply@blogger.com