Beyond Partisanship: A Path Toward Commonality in a Polarized Society

A lot is happening in the world right now. People are more divided than ever, and it can feel impossible to find mutual understanding given the current state of affairs. Communication barriers, misaligned context or information sources, lapses in active listening, and unchecked biases are among many potential drivers for this disconnect, but the issue could be more foundational.

Although there are infinite ways to approach and define these terms, concepts like freedom, upward mobility, inclusion, and tolerance are cornerstones of harmonious, well-functioning societies. Intuition and faith in humanity would suggest that everyone aspires to find optimal outcomes for all cross-sections of society and leave the world in a better place, but some seem to have missed the plot.

Fortunately, American political philosopher John Rawls proposed a mental framework that might enable people across the ideological spectrum to identify north stars, build capacities for empathy and understanding, and encourage productive discourse.

The thought experiment is called the original position and asks individuals to imagine themselves behind a "Veil of Ignorance" where they must consider how to govern a society without knowing what position they would occupy in that society beforehand. By restricting the knowledge of factors like ethnicity, social status, gender, or philosophy of what is socially acceptable, the experimental design explores principles of justice while encouraging participants to find impartial, fair, and efficient solutions to governmental policies and societal challenges.

It's easy to fall into a rabbit hole of identity politics, semantic arguments, and logical fallacies, so recentering around a perspective similar to that proposed by John Rawls appears to be a necessary path forward.

Communication hurdles and gaps in understanding will worsen if left unaddressed, especially in the emerging era of AI and increased traffic of misinformation, disinformation, and conflicting narratives. Algorithmic echo chambers and prejudiced sources of truth are pernicious, reinforcing biases and deepening societal division.

To navigate these complexities, discernment, self-awareness, and internal reflection are required skills that enable individuals to evaluate information critically, recognize biases, and engage in meaningful dialogue with others. Living in an inclusive and collaborative world is a worthwhile endeavor that requires an unwavering commitment to understanding diverse perspectives, fostering empathy, and working together to address common challenges. By embracing these principles, we will inevitably create a society that values fairness, justice, and mutual respect, creating a brighter future for all.