During the political season, you'll encounter some people who'd like to win you over to their point of view. Or those you'd like to persuade. To try is natural. It's the most local kind of politics.

If you are well-informed about the issues and candidates, you might try to persuade others with facts and reasons.

However, if those folks are emotionally identified with particular positions, trying to reason with them is a fool's errand.

Why?

Because ideology trumps reason.

What is an "ideology"? It's the content of thinking characteristic of an individual, group, or culture, its system of beliefs.

Examples: the thinking of a political party, a religion, or a cause

An "ideologue" is also called a "true believer." That is, someone who is deeply, sometimes fanatically devoted to a cause, organization, or person. Many on the political extremes are ideologues and are rarely open to reason, partly because they tend to spend their time with those who agree with them, and this reinforces their positions by the process of "ideological amplification."

As well, ideologues avoid - or dismiss - information that doesn't agree with their positions.

However, persons who hold position with passion are not necessarily ideologues. Anyone who is open to

reason, facts, and logic is not an ideologue. But persons who are unwilling even to consider positions different from their own, who stubbornly cling to their views, those folks are ideologues.

True believers are willing to believe some things without evidence to support them, e.g., "Climate change is a hoax." Beliefs don't require evidence or reason.

In a humorous vein, Lewis Carroll, author of "Alice in Wonderland" wrote "Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

A large portion of the U. S. consists of political independents, moderates, and non-partisans who are more open to reason. They make up about 40-50 percent of the U. S. population. There are also religious moderates who treat those of other faiths with respect, and who are able to participate in fruitful interfaith

dialogues.

The old adage about not discussing politics or religion at social events is generally sound. Friends and relatives don't like you to differ with them and (I have experienced) will even sever personal ties over differences.

Don't try to reason with ideologues. They are fueled by beliefs and emotions, not facts and reason.

"No rational argument will have a rational effect on a man who does not want to adopt a rational attitude."

--Karl Popper, philosopher of science

An exception: If you let an ideological person know that you aren't seeking to persuade him and want only to learn more about his thinking, it is possible to have a fruitful exchange. When I've been courteous, curious, and in no way argumentative, I've had satisfying conversations with others whose views I don't share.

Until next week, Loren

Until next week,

Loren

Just above the header "Better Conversations Newsletter" at the top of this issue, you'll see icons for Facebook and Twitter. Clicking on F will take you to your Facebook page. The link to this issue will also appear. You can add a comment and post it so your friends can access this newsletter.

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Loren Ekroth ©2012, all rights reserved

Loren Ekroth, Ph.D. is a specialist in human communication and a national expert on conversation for business and social life.