On these types of forums it’s easy to jump into an argument about the technicalities or a post or comment.
You should know, though, that there is a theory called Ways of Knowing which defines Separate Knowing and Connected Knowing. It’s been a part of my masters program I’m taking.
Separate knowing disconnects the humanity and context from what’s being said and tries to only argue the “facts”. But facts, and the things people say, don’t just occur in a vacuum. It often is the case when people are arguing past each other, like on the internet.
Connected Knowing is approaching the thing someone said with the understanding that there is a context, humanity, biases, different experiences, and human error that can all jumble up when people are sharing information.
Maybe even just knowing that there’s different ways to know would be helpful for us to engage in a different level of conversation here. I’m not sure. I just wanted to share!
https://capstone.unst.pdx.edu/sites/default/files/Critical Thinking Article_0.pdf
This is really interesting. Without knowing there was a word for it, I’ve often found myself wishing people (including myslef at times) did a better job of the Connected Knowing approach.
I thought so too! It can feel like people are missing each other and talking past one another in our typical discourse. It’s not how adults change each others minds though, or change our ideology or grow our understand, we have to connect at a deeper level for that.
Personally I’ve always found that style very patronising.
Arguing from empathy with no regard for facts is hopeless.
Arguing from facts with no regard for empathy is dangerous.
We need both.
Most times, empathy is not enough. And for some people, nothing is enough.
“There’s simply no polite way to tell people they’ve dedicated their lives to an illusion.” —Daniel Dennett
I think some people just don’t have much capacity for connected knowing.