Debates where everyone just talks past each other – personal attacks, stereotypes and insults – lack of interest in other points of view – stubborn certainty and extreme views.

The follies of polarisation make it difficult to find solutions to the urgent problems plaguing our world.

But what if there is a powerful antidote that we have overlooked? Maybe there are old and proven insights that can be helpful? 

The purpose of this text is to show how we can revive something almost forgotten in our time: the seven classical virtues. Faith, hope and love are powerful life forces. Together with the other virtues (wisdom, fair-mindedness, moderation, courage) they make us much better equipped to face the challenges of our time.

The Dangerous Trap That Everyone Should Be Aware Of

Why is social media so antisocial? Why are the posts so full of mockery, abuse and petty nastiness? The answer is probably quite simple: Being nasty and mean can be a pleasure.

You laugh and make fun of others because it's amusing. Schadenfreude is a source of – joy. Even the feeling of being wronged can become a wicked pleasure. It can provide an excuse to lash out in lustful anger.

Hatred and contempt are alluring but deeply deceptive emotions. They are "sweet-tasting poisons". They may feel good, but they damage the soul and weaken reason. They inflate the ego and give a false sense of superiority and intelligence. This illusion affects entire societies and drags the world down to ruin.

It's a bit like being stuck in a drug addiction. In order to be liberated, a kind of 'detoxification' and 'rehabilitation' is necessary. We need to learn to distinguish between good and bad emotions. And to create healthier thought patterns and better habits.

Religion Can Both Help and Hinder

One cause of polarisation is bad religion. It brings out the worst in people: fear, narrow-mindedness, selfishness, hatred, prejudice, etc. The paradox is that people claim to believe in a loving God. How does this make sense?

One possible answer is that it is a belief in conditional love. It is about controlling people by imposing conditions: ‘If you have the right belief, you will receive eternal happiness and all sorts of earthly privileges!’.

It is important to learn to distinguish between good and bad emotions. But how is this possible in an environment where emotions are manipulated? This may directly undermine that ability. The risk is that believers take pleasure in evil things, without really understanding the mistake. This is how 'toxic religion' is created.

Many churches speak of unconditional love. Such faith is not about control but trust. It is not based on reward and punishment, but on freedom and responsibility. The goal is not to become like a "well-trained pet" but to become a true human being.

So how can you get out of the dangerous trap? Here is the Christian approach to the problem: To be a Christian is to be a disciple of Christ. It means learning and growing. Trust gives freedom from fear and performance anxiety. It also gives courage for self-examination and self-awareness.

First and foremost, we need to learn not to hate and despise other people. Which is easier said than done!

Trust Strengthens Reason in a Surprising Way

Conspiracy theories often become popular and spread like a virus.

They are created by carelessly piecing together a picture of reality.

With stubbornness and poor judgement, you can create any image you like. You begin with the image you want to see – and adapt the pieces accordingly. 

To get the puzzle right, you have to admit that you can think wrong sometimes. Why is it so difficult?

It's flattering to think you have a sharp mind that can spot patterns that reveal hidden secrets. Distrusting experts and scientists makes you feel incredibly clever. They become smaller and you become bigger. Listening to other points of view disturbs the comfortable sense of self-worth.

This is mistrust with a superior sneer. Mistrust can go too far and become a need, an urge, a way of life. Then it becomes a dark destructive force that damages the soul and inflates a false self-confidence.

A trusting faith has a different life centre. You don't have to attach everything to your "smart" ideas and your cleverness. This frees you from intellectual blockages.

Faith gives you the strength to admit that you can think wrong. The realisation that you can be wrong is the basis for sound critical thinking and good judgement. 

Is There Any More Cure for Stubborn Certainty?

The feeling of absolute certainty is often no more than that: a feeling. It is rarely the product of a keen intellect.

Not only that. Stubborn certainty is often reinforced by ignorance. The less you understand, the more entrenched you become in your beliefs. It is often those who know the least who are most likely to play the know-it-all.

The way out of this trap is to get broader perspectives in different ways.

A good and interesting way to do this is through classical education. The Germans call this Bildung; this is a broad term that emphasises personal growth. This can mean, for example, getting to know other eras by studying history. The collective experience of humanity is a vast treasure trove of knowledge.

Another way is to meet people from foreign cultures and countries.

When horizons are broadened, a new feeling arises: the realisation of how little one knows. This is the basis of true wisdom, Socrates said.

Social media make us restless and unfocused. Bildung requires the ability to read slowly and to reflect.

Join the Alliance Against the Dark Side!

We need more antidotes to polarisation. Yoda in Star Wars said:

It is, of course, important to be able to feel fear and anger. It could be a matter of survival. Anger can be an important driving force in some situations. But there is a risk.  

Courage means not allowing fear to rule over reason. It is about keeping a cool head in order to see more clearly.

Justice (or fair-mindedness) is about being principled and resisting the temptations of power. "Those who have power can do whatever they want" – this is a thrilling fantasy that feeds all sorts of twisted ideas, both among leaders and ordinary people.

Hope (in the Christian sense) is an inner force that is "not of this world". It is independent of the ups and downs of life. It is a source of strength even when the future looks bleak.

A Very Important Quality Needed Today

Solving the problems of our time requires practical wisdom, common sense and good judgement. The polarised debate undermines this. This is because many people are drawn to extremes and hold unbalanced views.

Practical wisdom, according to Aristotle, is related to moderation. We often need to find the golden mean and not go too far in either direction. In decision-making situations, it is important not to overreact or underreact.

Sometimes we need to take a clear stand on an issue. But very often we have to find the right balance between two opposing poles. For example:

As long as you are totally locked into one of these opposing poles, it is impossible to develop practical wisdom. It's about being able to hold together a complex reality – to be able to integrate.

An Example of the Ability to Integrate

Debates are often characterised by a struggle between the politically correct and the politically incorrect.

A well-integrated person is not locked into one or the other. It is possible to have two opposing ideas in the mind at the same time. You can be both truthful and considerate.

Integration means bringing together different aspects of ourselves into a coherent whole. It is also about being able to understand different and opposite perspectives of reality. The world is complex! It is important to avoid oversimplifications. 

A Choice with Dramatic Consequences

Wise women and men throughout the ages have understood this: In order to contribute to a better society, there must first be an inner integration of the soul. A society without well-integrated leaders is in danger of degenerating into tyranny, Plato warned. This is ancient wisdom, and it is just as relevant today.