The Value of Opposition- Can we Just Cooperate?

The Value of Opposition

 Conservative, Liberal or What?

Conservatives bash liberals and liberals rant against conservatives. The diatribes continue unabated in the media and often become decidedly uncivil. Occasionally temporary exhaustion sets in and the rancor cools, but inevitably it surges again, fueled by a new topic. While I plead for civil conversation, the need for dialogue is very important.

It is easy to forget that we often gain the most from those who disagree with us. Those who challenge our way of thinking open our minds and create open dialogue. Without opposing views, civic conversation can easily become bland, boring reiteration. Those who disagree with us render us great service.

The willingness to evaluate, consider, and tolerate opposing points of view is a sign of maturity. There is a critical purpose to differing opinions—they give us choices, without which we grow narrow. They make us think, and provide a springboard against which we can strengthen our own ideas and convictions. It is an act of courage to put yourself “out there” with an opposing point of view and then take the heat for your opinions. 

In order for opinions to make a significant difference, others must hear them. Writers write so that readers may read, and speakers speak so that listeners may listen. They need not, however, agree with each other. The exchange of ideas takes place to consider new information. We sift, sort, evaluate, and keep what’s useful to us. Contrasting opinions, like exercise, strengthen our mental, moral and psychological muscles as we push against them.

Some fear contrasting voices. Unless the ideas presented by those voices are debauched, that is unwise. Provincial and immature though it is, we often want everyone to agree with us because we think we are right. In the end, however, contrast heightens the look and feel of ideas and brings them into focus. The strong are made stronger by contrast. Conservatives, for instance, can become more secure in their conservatism when they nibble at the liberal banquet fest.

For many conservatives, it is unlikely our well-tested, tightly screened ideas will change. They are part and parcel of our life experiences, woven into our core. There is, then, a real danger of sinking into the boredom of sameness and apathy. We need people with opposite views to give variety and expansion to our horizons. Not all of us take the same journey and watch the same scenery, therefore we end up at different destinations. Who can begrudge that—the world is full of destinations. We need not, do not want to be, and must not be all the same. We can benefit greatly from asking ourselves, “What is it about this opposisng opinion that unsettles me, and how can I justify my disagreement?” That exercise is invaluable.

Ronald Reagan once said, ”This is a wonderful time to be alive. We’re lucky not to live in pale and timid times. We’ve been blessed with the opportunity to stand for something.” Those who challenge our conservative opinions help us determine what we believe and why. There is a place in our lives for gratitude to those who disagree with us. Without them, we would be less than we are.