To Be Irrational Is Not To Be Able To Accept The Truth

If you are dealing with an irrational person, to expect them to be rational is to be irrational. It is like talking to a delusional person. You can feel like you are making progress, and suddenly realize you are right back at the beginning of the conversation. There is a point when we have to accept that we have to find another approach

An irrational person is not able to accept that the truth is the truth. Everyone feels they are right. Being unwilling to accept truth is a form of not being able to. However we can have pre existing metrics that we can apply to ourselves to get a sense of we are the one in the conversation who is irrational.

Two people deadlocked in conflict does not necessarily mean that one of them is irrational. Even when it appears that one is closer to our point of view we cannot not necessarily assume that the person we are in agreement with is the rational one in the conversation.

It may appear that they are arguing from two different sides, if they are in the mindset of self vs other, good versus evil, neither of them is likely truly rational.. A person can be wrong and still be rational. A person can be arguing from the right side of the argument and still be irrational.

The rational individual is able to truly listen to what the other is saying. Not just waiting to say their piece, but truly listening. Courage is the willingness to listen to what someone we disagree with has to say. The only way to get through to anyone is to go where they are, to listen.

Non linear deescalation is when you deescalate a conflict by doing something that truly surprises the person that you are in conflict with. Nothing is more surprising in today’s world than someone who listens. The willingness to say yes to what is, and to take in everything that is present. This is the essence of courage.