When studying the ancient Greeks, I am usually fascinated at how they valued intellect and the use of the mind in conversations. And they did not use AI or other fancy tools to advance their art.
Take Socrates' for instance. His approach to communication revolutionized philosophical discourse and left a lasting impact on subsequent generations. His emphasis on dialogue, critical thinking, intellectual humility, collaboration, and ethical communication has influenced various fields, including philosophy, education, and rhetoric.
Socrates utilised the “Socratic Method”, a form of inquiry-based dialogue. Instead of lecturing or presenting his own opinions, Socrates engaged others in a series of thought-provoking questions. By challenging assumptions, seeking clarity, and probing deeper into underlying beliefs, Socrates encouraged critical thinking and self-examination.
Socrates approached communication with a sense of intellectual humility. He famously claimed to be the wisest of all because he recognized his own ignorance. This humility allowed him to genuinely listen to others, acknowledge his own limitations, and maintain an open mind. By valuing the perspectives and knowledge of others, Socrates created an atmosphere of mutual respect and intellectual exchange.
In conversing with folks these days, it is obvious that the world has changed when it comes to accepting these “old school” approaches. I would say we have virtually lost the art of communication.
Now, folks hear you speak and all they are looking to do is retort, either to show they are smarter than you (in their minds) or to indicate that you have not stated anything new. There are some messaging platforms I avoid for the very fact that people are so opinionated and only take views so they can hide behind a device and spew vitriols.
We need to understand that although Solomon, the legendary Jewish king, was considered very wise, he learnt from the simplest things. For while folks would stomp on ants without much thought, he admonished the lazy man who slept on his bed and said… “go to the ants; you sluggard, observe their ways and be wise”.
So we can calmly listen to the views of others and may be amazed at how closely our thoughts align. But even if we differ on our views, we can “disagree with each other without being disagreeable!”
Comentários