Having just moved from Britain to Colorado in the United States surprisingly my wife and I are undergoing a culture shock. We have been disarmed by the friendliness of people and, compared to the UK, how inexpensive petrol (gas) is. We are also repeatedly surprised by how many regular products have a kosher sign on them. Another pleasant aspect of our move has been the staggering natural beauty of Colorado. However there is one characteristic that has significantly disappointed and disturbed me. Healthy and balanced political debate does not seem to exist in the United States.
Instead both sides of the political spectrum seem to have their own media outlets where they vent their incredibly polarized and uncontested political views – often with the aim of discrediting the opinions of their ideological opponents. The problem with this is that the two sides do not talk at each other rather than to each other and as a result suspicion and hate festers. The situation is acute – I have observed that how people hold others with differing ideological and political views in utter contempt.
To be sure, it is good that people are passionate about their individual political and ideological views. However if one only ever converses with like-minded people one will never know when one errs. The Torah says, “man is a tree of the field” (Deuteronomy 20:19). There is a Chassidic anecdote that explains this verse. Man is likened to a tree in the following way. If a tree grows in isolation it is likely to grow slightly bent, when trees grow together in a forest however they have each other to circumvent crooked growth. Similarly, for truth to be upheld it is fundamental that human beings not live in intellectual isolation – only hearing views that reinforce their own. Vigorous and respectful debate with the aim of reaching the truth is crucial if one is to remain intellectually healthy.
Respectful debate amongst scholars with divergent views has always been the bedrock of Judaism. The Talmud is replete with debate amongst rabbis who disagreed with each other. They were not afraid to debate because being proven wrong was not seen in a negative light; they only had one agenda – to reach the truth. And even if a consensus could not be reached it did not mean that either side was entirely wrong. The Talmud says that divergent views can both be seen as the words of the living God (Talmud Eruvin). There is deep profundity found within this statement. As long as we are taught to appreciate that divinity is also found within the view of people who disagree with us, then respect and dignity will be paid to intellectual opponents. This Talmudic dictum implores us to engage with people who are, in our opinion, mistaken because although their view may not be ultimately accepted it is nonetheless legitimate and worthwhile. This element of respect for the views of others is a critical ingredient of a decent, harmonious, strong and healthy society.
The fact that here in the United States public opinion is polarized to the extent that there is little honest debate amongst intellectual rivals is deeply worrying. Is in now imperative that the Talmudic modal of respect for intellectual rivals is taken seriously. Yes we can disagree and even passionately so, however we must never allow ourselves to become entranced that we stop talking to each other. To avoid negative side affects this disturbing American trend of routinely belittling, defaming and delegitimizing the views of others must be rolled back.