RE: den.list-d Digest V2003 #48

[hillmer@ku.edu]

Mark Powell wrote:

> I am new to the group but feel that I cannot let aim number 9 in the 'please
> do' list pass without comment.  This is also related to the 'Thinking about
> Thinking' theme mentioned by Bill Bellows in the 'Ongoing Discussions' dated
> 22nd Sept.
> 
> Aim No 9 says : -
> 
> "Try to state ideas and theories as conditional opinions as opposed
> to absolutes - this produces better dialogue.  As one DENizen stated: 'I
> try to use words such as "sometimes", "may", "maybe", "might", "could",
> etc.' "
> 
Another approach in the same spirit is to clearly state you opinions in absolute terms but acknowledge your statements as opinions or judgments that may be questioned by others.  For example, in my judgement there will be a more productive dialogue in this group when the participants not only clearly state their ideas and at the same time acknowledge that these ideas are their own opinions and judgements.  In addition, in my judgment it is helpful for participants to clearly articulate the underlying rationale for how they arrived at their theories or opinions and it is helpful for participants to encourage others to explain their rationale when they have articulated conflicting opinions or theories.  My conclusion comes from the rationale that if we can understand why participants have come to believe their opinions and if we understand why we hold our own beliefs then we are better able to critically examine our opinions and evaluate when they are most productively applied in the real world.  I agree with Mark's opinion that we all should seek to be clear in what is said so others can understand.  I hope that we can also state our own beliefs in a manner so that others who might have different beliefs can understand us without getting defensive.

Steve Hillmer