More important than any knowledge a person may have is his or her way of knowing. It is not just what you know, it is HOW you know the world around you. Some thoughts:

  1. Robert Kegan has done some good work on this. He borrowed from Kohlberg's model of moral development. This is not complicated, but it is very powerful. You will have no choice but to see the world differently once you understand the model. It is easy enough to understand.

  2. When you debate, do not assume your opponent is stupid or ignorant because they cannot see the data and understand it. More often than not, they are simply not capable of seeing it any other way. Their way of knowing limits what they can even take in, let alone process.

  3. When someone is dealing in absolutes and black and white, it indicates an instrumental way of knowing. If they are spewing talking points of the left (or whatever belief they hold) and they seem passionate about their views, it hints at a socialized way of knowing. with a little practice you can learn how someone makes sense of the world, and to then work with that (if you must). Self-Authoring people will change their minds, they ask questions, and they acknowledge when you made a good point.

For more information, search up "ways of knowing kegan". The first link is good. I tried to archive it, but the wayback machine started fighting with me.