Arguments For The Sake Of Heaven

Truth-seeking is the ultimate expression of Tolerance and humility.

LEARNING AND DIALOGUE

ou.org/torah/parsha/rabbisacks-on-parsha/covenant_and_conversation_sake/

The Talmud explains that arguments for the sake of heaven are preferable to those for the sake of victory.

In an argument for the sake of victory, what is at stake is not truth, but the power of victory, and the result is that both sides suffer. In such a case, if you win, I lose. But if I win, I also lose because in diminishing you, I diminish myself. It is a destructive form of persuasion as it injures those who did not win. The opposite is the case when the argument is for the sake of truth, i.e., for the sake of heaven, for if I win, I win. But if I lose, I also win because being defeated by the truth is the only form of defeat that is also a victory.

Arguments for the sake of heaven tend to be kindly and modest because they are respectful and seek to understand the other side and because they learn what their opponents believe before they pursue their own opinions. They seek truth, not victory. That is why they listen to the views of their opponents and teach them so that the views can be understood and explained. They do not use ad hominem attacks, abuse, contempt or disingenuous appeals to emotion. Each side is willing, if refuted, to say: “I was wrong”.

Arguments for the sake of heaven are one of the noblest ideals—conflict resolution by honoring both sides of the conflict and by humility in the quest for truth.

“Listening is access to understanding.”

—JULIAN TREASURE