…unless you can prove it.
Otherwise, you are levelling a personal attack at me and I may choose to take that personally.
However, please feel free to disagree with any conclusion I have come to. That is right and proper. That you disagree with my thinking doesn’t challenge me, just my thinking.
Maybe you know something that I don’t know. Certainly, your experiences in life are different from mine. Likely, the consequences of the conclusion may be much more significant for you.
Extending this further, on so many issues, it is inconceivable that we should agree. This makes agreement unproductive. Should I decide it is right to take a particular risk with my health, or my career, how is it possible that you could sensibly agree to do likewise? That would be foolish unless you have considered it fully and reached the same conclusion as I. Then we have a happy coincidence of agreement – until we dive into the detail.
The point I am trying to make is that if you value your independent mind, your ability to think critically about the issues that are important to you, you absolutely have to respect, if not demand, that others think independently too, and may reach a different conclusion.
Thus, but adopting and encouraging independent thinking we can enjoy debate, share views, and channel emotions productively. Then we keep our friends, relish diversity and challenge our thinking in a healthy and productive manner.
Let me challenge you one step further.
Have you developed the skill of being able to maintain a relationship while disagreeing on an issue you care deeply about?
Of course, these are just my views and conclusion, and you are welcome to adopt a different position.
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