Episode #69 Is Unity Possible?

One Perspective

• Unity is possible, but it requires tremendous amounts of tenacity, humility, and empathy.

Three Problems

• The greatest barriers to unity are the protection of our personal freedom and the pursuit of others’ shame.
• Sometimes considering others’ perspectives requires us not only to acknowledge that we were wrong but also to admit that we have done wrong.
• We often fail to find common ground with others because we are afraid that agreement about one thing implies agreement about everything.

Three Principles

• The pursuit of unity is not merely the ‘right’ way to spend our lives but is instead the most fun, fulfilling, and healthy way to spend our lives.
• Societies are most prosperous when they simultaneously maximize both individual freedom and collective justice.
• Many of our disagreements take place at the level of definition, even though we actually agree about the facts.

Five Practices

• Demonstrate humility by acknowledging those situations when your personal worldview has failed to live up to its potential.
• When national or worldwide unity feels overwhelming, take measurable steps toward unity in your own household, workplace, or local community.
• Ask yourself, “Why do I feel this way?” whenever you recognize an instinctive defensiveness directed toward specific people, ideas, or organizations.
• When a conversation is at a stand-still due to confusion surrounding terminology, offer the questions, “What do you call it when…?” and “What do you think I mean when I use the word…?”
• Find common ground by utilizing others’ preferred terminology when applicable.