Civil Discourse: Manners, Morals & Civility
Civil discourse is a fundamental part of our everyday lives and interactions.
The Doe is a digital publication sharing anonymous narratives to promote civil discourse.
You may have come across the term civil discourse on various occasions. But you may still wonder, what exactly does it refer to, and why should you care?
Let’s get onto the same page on what civil discourse means, why it’s important, how you can engage in productive civil dialogues and how to avoid the echo chamber that limits your perspectives.
“Civil” has many different meanings, and in this context, it refers to a deeper sense of civility that forms the foundation on which democratic societies work. It’s about displaying behaviors that contribute to good citizenship. Meanwhile, “discourse” refers to the communication of thoughts through words and conversations or a formal discussion of a subject in speech or writing.
Civil discourse involves a mutual sharing of views in a dialogue. The goal is to promote greater understanding among the parties through respectful and engaging conversations without rancor. These exchanges aim to create space that includes and recognizes different perspectives, opinions, experiences and identities.
Here at The Doe, we define civil discourse as:
Thoughtful conversations allow us to exchange ideas about issues that matter. They help strengthen our relationships with other people by gaining insights into their beliefs and points of view. We can enhance our understanding of a topic and promote our personal growth. We can also learn from others and broaden our perspectives to make informed decisions.
To reap the benefits of civil discourse, we need to develop mutual respect and understanding by creating an environment for a constructive dialogue.
We view the world around us through the filter of our experiences and identities. Some topics are more sensitive for certain people, and we must be thoughtful, respectful and considerate to those who have different opinions.
When we discuss a topic we’re passionate about, many tend to take things personally. But resist the temptation to make it about the person. Instead, focus your energy and excitement on the issue at hand to have an objective conversation.
If a topic makes you feel anxious or stressed, let people know what you are willing and unwilling to discuss. Meanwhile, respect others’ boundaries when having a civil dialogue. You may also limit the amount of information you consume per day to avoid getting overwhelmed or triggered.
Be conscious of how you communicate with those around you. Don’t hurt your relationships just because you have different points of view. When you show that you value each other’s opinions, you strengthen your relationships.
You can increase the chances of having a productive civil dialogue by identifying a clear purpose, setting up a framework to maintain focus, including everyone in the conversation and establishing a common ground to promote understanding.
Become informed by learning about people impacted by an issue. Read or listen to their stories to develop an in-depth understanding of the broader human condition, which will allow us to expand our worldview and see different possibilities. That’s why we create a safe space for anyone to share their anonymous narratives so we can all expand our perspectives.
To reap the benefits of civil discourse, we need to employ the appropriate vehicles. There are four traditional modes of discourse that describe the variety, conventions and purposes of language-based communication, particularly writing and speaking. They are:
Civil discourse opens up opportunities for us to connect with others by understanding their points of view and enhance our personal growth by broadening our perspectives.
Here at The Doe, we foster civil discourse through creating space for unfiltered stories—giving our members the opportunities to explore a broad spectrum of viewpoints and confront their biases.
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