I have developed a set of rules of engagement. They are not always easy to follow, but I am trying. I hope you will agree and strive to adopt them as well. Of course, these were developed by me and are subject to change as I change, hopefully increasing in maturity and wisdom.
Rule 0: Truth is not subjective. Truth is accessed through data, measurements, and observations. If a statement cannot be validated by direct measurement or observation it is an opinion.
Rule 1: No one owes any other person an apology or explanation of their views or opinions. Even opinions that are commonly regarded as incorrect or abhorrent are still valid opinions. No one is obligated to agree with distasteful opinions, but that does not mean distasteful opinions are less valid.
Rule 2: No one is authorized to assess the incorrectness of another’s opinions unless those ideas can be proven or disproven with data. If any interpretation of a measurement or observation is required to prove or disprove an idea, then the data is silent. Interpretation of data is an opinion and cannot be used to assess the correctness of another’s opinion.
Rule 3: Everyone should be treated with respect, regardless of their opinions. Disrespect does not reflect badly on the victim’s ideas. It reflects badly on the perpetrator’s character.
Rule 4: Disagreement is not aggression, nor is it disrespectful. However, it is not always necessary to counter another’s idea. Contention can be avoided if parties present alternate ideas without commenting on the competing ideas.
Rule 5: No one has the power, authority, or mandate to change another’s worldview. And no one wants to “be fixed.” This does not mean we cannot share ideas with the hope of influencing others. Nor does it mean we should not be influenced. Maintaining one’s opinion in the face of disrespect or aggression is a sign of courage and strength of character. When presented with new evidence or compelling logic, changing one’s opinion is a sign of personal growth and humility. Compelling another to change their opinion is tyranny.
Rule 6: Words convey different ideas to different people. Do not get hung up on the words. Try to focus on the intended meaning. Be aware of shifting definitions and attempt to agree on important definitions before debating messages.
Rule 7: Everyone is tolerant and intolerant. Every person must ask, what can I not tolerate. That defines their intolerance. Their tolerance is defined by everything else. The inability to tolerate another’s intolerance is an amusing hypocrisy. One suggestion is to tolerate ideas and legal activities. That does not mean approval or participation. It simply means respecting the rights of our neighbors to think as they wish and pursue happiness in their own way. Of course, illegal activities ought not to be tolerated.
Rule 8: Laws are born of opinions shared by the masses. A negative opinion of the masses may drive the creation of a law that makes an unfavored activity a candidate for intolerance. All must be very cautious of any law that restricts activities that do not explicitly hinder the rights of non-participants. And no one should ever attempt to make an idea or the expression of an idea illegal. Proponents of illegal activity are not obligated to agree with the majority opinion or abandon their efforts to change the law.
Sentient Clay 