I disagree with Thomas Sowell

What is the result if I disagree with Thomas Sowell in his recent column:



Too many people today act as if no one can honestly disagree with them. If you have a difference of opinion with them, you are considered to be not merely in error but in sin. You are a racist, a homophobe or whatever the villain of the day happens to be.

Disagreements are inevitable whenever there are human beings but we seem to be in an era when the art of disagreeing is vanishing. That is a huge loss because out of disagreements have often come deeper understandings than either side had before confronting each other's arguments.



As a young teacher, I am only beginning to understand the importance of teaching students to use their reasoning abilities. The problem I have found is that most students are lazy. I should expand that to say most people, young or old. It is much work to think through an agrument and establish your position. Too many people are accustomed to having their beliefs told to them. We would be much better off if we worked at what we believe. Contradiction and dialectics are one of the best methods of accomplishing this.