I first discovered Needleman, author and professor of philosophy at San Francisco University, through an interview he did for the On Being radio program on public radio. Through listening to that interview and reading that book have become very impressed with Needleman's thinking, attitude, and practical insights.
Below is a video of Needleman speaking (April 2007) on the importance of listening. He contends that intentional and painstaking listening is essential to morality and serves to humanize those with whom we disagree. Needleman says that two-thirds of the time when we should be listening to someone else speak we aren't really hearing hearing them at all. Instead of truly hearing them, we are hearing our own voice. Effective dialogue results from conscientiously and carefully listening with an open mind and then summarizing back to the other person what they have said to make sure they have truly been heard and understood. We don't have to agree with the other person's opinions, but we do need to allow other thoughts and views into our mind. He asserts provocatively that the failure to listen and understand is dangerously akin to murder.
The thoughtful advice in this seven and a half minute video are well worth watching and potentially life-changing. I encourage you to watch it, think about it, and share it with others.
Great clip, Dave. Needleman is ever the philosopher of core, basic, instinctive, interpersonal, moral, and humanistic thought. I have found this very much the case in the way he writes about Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Lincoln in "American Soul."
ReplyDeleteI think his advice here can equally apply to online interactions, and the act of reading and actually comprehending what opinions people have through their posts and comments across the plethora of blogs, social media, and websites of all kinds. All too often people post a "Ready, Fire, Aim" response to something they read while skimming an article, posting, or op-ed. And, because the human interaction side is dramatically decreased by the electronic separation of the people trying to communicate with each other, any semblance of morality is often found only by chance.
Even if this weren't "election season", Needleman grants sage advice here. The best part of it is the reassurance that the outcome is the "arm in arm" understanding of each other as humans, rather than a divisive, caustic relationship.
Thanks, Kris. I like your application to online interactions.
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