Finding truth in the midst of the extremes

by Mike Webber, Hamilton

I received an engineering degree from the Colorado School of Mines in the 1960’s. It was among the most conservative schools in the country. I then went on to earn a graduate degree at the University of California in Berkeley. It was, without a doubt, the most liberal university in the nation at that time. Both of these schools were excellent learning institutions, but they could not have been more different.  

It was like the collision of two galaxies. There was a lot of turmoil and chaos, but in reality, there was plenty of empty space in the middle for all of the pieces to fit together. Strangely enough, I felt equally comfortable in both environments. They both had a lot to offer. But I had to set my preconceived biases aside and immerse myself into the total learning experience.  

When I actually listened to those with vastly differing views, I could identify with and see some validity in both schools of thought. The pragmatism of the one did not have to be in conflict with the idealism of the other. Looking at things from different perspectives helps us to see the world more clearly.  

Intellectual diversity is required to develop the skills necessary to think critically and discern the truth. My overall college experience taught me the value of trying to understand all sides of an issue before reaching final conclusions. This was perhaps the most important thing I learned in school. A good education should teach us how little we actually know, rather than make us think we know it all. The ultimate goal should be a search for truth driven by humility, not arrogance.

Even if we strongly disagree with others, we should at least attempt to understand why they think the way they do. The book The Art of War by Sun Tzu stresses the importance of knowing your enemy. If you are comfortable with what you believe, alternative viewpoints should not threaten you.

We are a nation in trouble. The polarization has become so extreme that it’s difficult to find any common ground on a number of significant issues. People’s viewpoints are set in stone. Unfortunately, there is no check on the increasing polarization. Differing factions are becoming more entrenched in their own biases as they move farther apart.  

But we need to change the way we think, speak, and act. We have the clearest view when we take the high ground. We must strive to understand the problems thoroughly, evaluate the options honestly, and articulate the truth persuasively.  

We must be willing to understand why others have the viewpoints that they do. If we are unwilling to listen, then our own words will become irrelevant. We need to set our biases aside and be open to course corrections. We must seek the truth in the midst of the extremes.

Enough of my search for answers to the mysteries of the Universe. I shall now return to the realities of life: Where is my slide rule? Who keeps hiding my glasses?