Ethical Matters: Disagreeing Without Hate

Do you avoid people who are strongly against immigration? Or strongly for trans rights? Against abortion, or drug legalisation?

Many of us struggle to engage with people whose opinions differ strongly from our own-even if they might have something useful to contribute to the debate. That means we’re falling victim to what behavioural scientist Professor Paul Dolan as Beliefism: discrimination against those with different beliefs to us.

Drawing on the evidence from across the social sciences, Dolan will highlight how easy it is for us to divide ourselves into opposing camps – and how harmful that can be. The world might be a better place if there was less beliefism and Dolan shows how more tolerance is only possible “by design”. Whether it’s among friends, at university or at work, being less beliefist could make you a better partner or parent, and a more effective buddy or boss.