In several of my previous blogs, I’ve tried to explain that civil discussion makes us wiser by helping us understand the world, ourselves, each other, and possibilities. I also noted that these forms of understanding really do qualify as “wisdom” because each enables us to act more responsibly—to act, that is, in a way that takes fuller account of the world and our place in it.
If you’re still not convinced, have a look at the blogs in this series, in which I respond to 13 Frequently Voiced Objections (which I’ll call “FVOs”) to participating in civil discussion.
(One objection that might cross your mind, but which I don’t address in the series, is: “lack of opportunity.” Unlike the other objections I address in the series, this one is not only valid, but has from the beginning been one of the driving motives behind EnCiv. We believe that by making quality, facilitated civil discussion easily available online—supported by informational and other tools—citizens will find it much easier to profit from it.)
