Curiosity: The Most Powerful Weapon Against Polarization
The most effective tool against polarization is curiosity—curiosity about the other person. Where do their ideas and beliefs come from? Why does someone think so differently from you? This mindset is more important than ever, as our society faces a relatively new phenomenon: moral diversity.
In the past, we lived in a segmented society where people were mainly surrounded by like-minded individuals who shared similar ideas about what was normal, just, and good. Today, we are confronted with a rich variety of moral perspectives. These differences can sometimes cause significant—or at least apparent—conflicts.
To navigate this, it’s crucial to adopt an open and inquisitive attitude toward the origins of someone’s moral beliefs. Avoid judging others based solely on their words, background, or appearance. And remember to distinguish between words and actions: what someone does often reveals far more than what they say.
Beneath the Surface
To help you with this, I’ve drawn an iceberg. I invite you to explore what lies beneath the surface. What factors influence the formation of a moral judgment? Where do your own beliefs come from? How can you be sure you’re right? The colors of the bubbles represent how difficult it is to articulate their content, ranging from dark (easy) to light (challenging). The size of the bubbles indicates the extent to which they weigh into moral judgment. What do your bubbles look like? What color are they? How big are they?
The most visible and tangible part of the iceberg is moral intuition: that instinctive feeling that makes us declare or exclaim that something is “not okay.” But why do we feel that way? It’s often challenging to immediately explain why something feels wrong, but it’s precisely this why question that matters. Being able to articulate your judgment is crucial, especially in conversations with those who don’t share your perspective.
When forming a moral judgment—this is not okay, this is okay, or this is the right thing to do—several factors come into play. Alongside facts—the objective reality—moral values and principles significantly shape our judgments.
Facts, Values, and Principles
It’s often said that facts speak for themselves. Unfortunately, this isn’t true. Facts are frequently interpreted differently depending on a person’s background, education, or personal experiences. Sometimes, solid scientific evidence is needed to grasp the full picture, and even then, interpretations can vary.
Values are the ideals we strive for, such as honesty, respect, or tolerance. They represent what we see as good but are often abstract. Moral principles, on the other hand, are the rules we follow to achieve that good. Think of the Ten Commandments, the principle of “sharing fairly,” or the rule “treat others as you would like to be treated.” However, these principles can be difficult to apply in specific situations or even contradictory at times.
Worldviews, Perceptions of Humanity, and Experiences
Our morality is shaped not only by values and principles but also by deeply rooted beliefs about how the world and people function—our worldview and perception of humanity. These beliefs are shaped by upbringing, culture, education, religion, and other life influences. Interestingly, our self-image—I am okay—can sometimes clash with our view of humanity. How does that conflict arise?
Personal experiences also play a vital role. Everyone has a unique history and develops a unique sense of morality as a result. Which experiences have been decisive for you? What lessons did you learn from your parents or in your history classes?
Keep Asking Questions
There’s always more to uncover beneath the surface of the iceberg. It’s worth pausing to reflect on this regularly. Ask yourself: which experiences have shaped your morality? What beliefs have you inherited from your upbringing or culture? And how do these influences affect your judgment today?
