Switch Sides in an Argument

“Those that fight don't listen, those that listen don't fight.” Gestalt psychologist Fritz Perls, 1960s. And Abraham Lincoln said, "I don't like that man. I must get to know him better."

We are looking for practices to teach listening. One, more common in the late 1960s than now, was an exercise during an ongoing argument, in which each side argued for the other’s position temporarily. Difficult but possible.

An easier version: develop the best case you can for an opponent’s position. You’ll probably find unexpected points of agreement. (Due to today's over-the-top outrage industry you might want to keep the result to yourself. Why be a martyr to nonsense?)