What can we learn from those who tend to agree with us ?

Question

Inspired question from the late Dudley Field Malone who was a New York City civil rights lawyer....

"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me."

_________

This "saying" struck me as interesting and wondered if anyone cared to comment ?

Answer 1

'Philosophy has interpreted the world in many ways, the point, however, is to change it' Karl Marx

Additional copies of the same thought may help us to remember, but memory with no action is very unproductive and unprogressive. Two or more who agree to act and know their duty get things done.

Answer 2

Today my mother agreed with me for a totally diffferent reason than I thought she would agree. New perspective = new information

Answer 3

You can learn that you're not alone. That's a huge lesson for most people.

Answer 4

If you are asking for advice and say to someone I think I should do this and they agree with you then you get the idea it might be the right way to go.

Answer 5

They are not psychologists.

"What do you think that means?"

"I don't know wet do you think that means?"

"I think it means I am cured. Is that hat it means?"

"Is that what you think it means?"

"I just said that. What do you think?"

"I think you session is up and we will have to look more into this next session. What do you think?"

"Huh?"

"See you next session."

Answer 6

We learn that not everyone disagrees with you. We learn who tends to be of a like mind with us.

The comment is short sighted, as it only really applies to new information -however, even without new information it is still possible to learn.

Answer 7

Sure.  I think there's something to it.  It isn't strictly true.  For example when someone agrees with me, she can take it a bit further, prompting me to think about it more.  But all too often, agreement just settles me more into my own biases!

Disagreement is a challenge of sorts, prompting me to defend my position and think things through more thoroughly.

Course, there are people who go around disagreeing because they want to pick a verbal fight and prove to you and to themselves that they are smarter than you.  These are irritating and not particularly beneficial..

Answer 8

how can you learn anything new with yes men/women all around, i learn when there is a difference of opinion, because then i see someone else's view, instead of just mine!♥

Answer 9

applicable with dictators,In a democracy you can agree to disagree, or support the point of view,strengthens your line of thought

Answer 10

You can feel reassured that there are other people like you in the world, and so all people can't be that bad. It also gives you a chance to hear their stories and history, so you can then learn how you both arrived at your personalities, despite completely different pasts.

Answer 11

I don't think we can actually learn from the people who agree with us...but merely justify what we already know and believe.

But I agree with Malone...if we only surround ourselves with people who only agree with us then we are stuck with only what we know. There's no room for growth if we don't allow our walls to rattle and be torn a part to make room for new ones.