We are close to being at each other's throats. Political or religious discourse, for example, if not nearly all, is shrouded in intransigence, resentment, name-calling, distrust, and outright animosity toward each other. We often opt out of conversations because we likely will argue and walk away, not having convinced the other person of our position, and prefer to return to the silo with the others of our persuasion. You are wrongheaded, so we avoid you at all costs and even wish you dead; we could be wrong, but since we will never change your mind, you are an interloper taking up our space and breathing our air.
We are correct, and you are wrong. That makes us wise and you stupid. One or two words in passing are enough to confirm our impression of you. The world would be better off without you.
We have trouble imagining how we could have a conversation, let alone a dialogue or, god forbid, a compromise upon which to agree. This condition most likely will continue and even get worse. We become isolated and tribal. We coalesce into our fellow traveling groups, disdaining all others. We even have thoughts of violence and civil war. Practice the art of active listening? That's a waste of time.
Can any technique or practice get us talking across the Great Divide? Yes, if we have the courage for it. Enter the Socratic method.
I force myself to articulate your position to your satisfaction. I quiz you until I understand your thinking and play my version of you back to you until you are satisfied I have your thinking down pat. Then you do that with me. The object is to correctly articulate the other person's position. Then what? We either walk away or critique your version of me and vice versa. Eventually, some accommodation or compromise may appear out of thin air. Or, we go home less inclined to kill each other.
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