From Disgust to Dialogue
Moving Beyond the Emotional Tug of Political Polarization
The transformation needed in American society today requires a shift from a politics of mutual disgust to one of mutual familiarity, dialogue, and, where possible, friendship. Process philosophy, with its emphasis on the centrality of emotion in human life, its belief in the creative potential that emerges when people genuinely listen to one another, and its vision of inclusive community as the true hope for humanity, offers a vital pathway for fostering this change.
This transformation begins with cultivating familiarity with those on the 'other side,' striving to understand their lives, their sufferings, and their joys. Such familiarity goes beyond merely discussing politics; it involves engaging in conversations about life itself, grounded in humility and deep listening. This does not require an abandonment of core political convictions, but it does involve recognizing that those convictions are always partial and finite; and that, as one Christian puts it, the "kingdom of God is more than the American political spectrum. The essential first step is to move beyond the barriers of disgust and toward a deeper, more humane connection.
This transformation begins with cultivating familiarity with those on the 'other side,' striving to understand their lives, their sufferings, and their joys. Such familiarity goes beyond merely discussing politics; it involves engaging in conversations about life itself, grounded in humility and deep listening. This does not require an abandonment of core political convictions, but it does involve recognizing that those convictions are always partial and finite; and that, as one Christian puts it, the "kingdom of God is more than the American political spectrum. The essential first step is to move beyond the barriers of disgust and toward a deeper, more humane connection.
The Problem of Disgust
If you're conservative, you might feel a sense of disgust when thinking about liberals, and if you're liberal, you might feel a similar sense of disgust when thinking about conservatives. The sight of certain politicians, and even the sound of their voices, may evoke feelings of revulsion, and you'll feel justified in your reaction. "They" are focused on the wrong things, while "you" are aligned with what is right.
Whether you're on the left or the right, you'll likely prefer to be with your group, seeking support and validation from those who share your views. You may even post on Facebook or some other social media, seeking further support and reinforcement. The more people who agree with you, the more "right" you will feel. You and your group will share a mutual disgust for them.
The Tug of Disgust
You may believe that you are guided by reason alone, that your values are the "right" values, and that those on the other side are "wrong." You might think it's all about "thinking" correctly. However, when you see images on television of people representing "the other side," an emotion—however subtle—rises within you. This emotion, the emotion of disgust, is strangely attractive. It reinforces your sense of being "right" in your thinking. Political campaigns are aware of this. They know they can hook you emotionally and sway your vote through negative ads that evoke disgust toward the other side.
The Central Role of Emotions in Experience
Process philosophy, particularly as influenced by Whitehead, recognizes that emotions are not just peripheral to our experiences but central to them. Whether we’re dealing with sensory experiences or abstract, conceptual thinking, emotions like attraction (adversion) and repulsion (aversion) are always at play, shaping our perceptions and judgments. These emotions act as fundamental forces that drive our decisions, guiding us toward or away from certain objects, ideas, or people. They are present in all forms of experience, from basic physical responses to complex intellectual deliberations.
The Interplay Between Emotion and Thought
Even our most rational, conceptual experiences are not free from emotional influence. Emotions color our thoughts, guiding our reasoning and shaping the way we evaluate ideas and make decisions. This interplay suggests that pure reason, isolated from emotion, is an illusion; our thinking is always intertwined with our feeling. In the realm of conceptual experience—where we engage in abstract reasoning, moral deliberation, or philosophical reflection—emotions continue to play a crucial role. They influence which ideas we find compelling, which arguments resonate with us, and how we ultimately understand and engage with the world. In this way, emotions are seen as integral to the process of conceptualization itself.
The Evolutionary Basis of Emotions
Process philosophy also acknowledges the evolutionary roots of emotions like disgust, which originally helped early humans survive by avoiding harmful substances, such as rotten food or potential toxins. Disgust is a primal emotion that evolved as a protective mechanism, steering our ancestors away from dangers that could harm their health and survival. Over time, as humans developed more complex social structures and cultural practices, the scope of disgust broadened beyond physical survival. It began to influence our moral and social judgments, helping to maintain social cohesion by promoting certain norms and behaviors while discouraging others.
For example, feelings of disgust can arise in response to behaviors or practices that violate social or cultural taboos, reinforcing group identity and boundaries. This expanded role of disgust, however, also means that it can be manipulated to create or exacerbate divisions, as seen in political campaigns that exploit this emotion to demonize the "other side." This evolution of disgust from a simple survival tool to a complex social emotion illustrates how deeply ingrained and influential such emotions are in all aspects of human life.
The Emotion of "Being Right"
Moreover, the sense of "being right" also involves an emotion. The confidence or certainty we feel when we believe we are correct is often accompanied by emotions such as satisfaction, pride, or even superiority. This emotional reinforcement strengthens our attachment to certain beliefs or viewpoints, making it more challenging to remain open to alternative perspectives. In this way, the emotion tied to "being right" plays a crucial role in shaping our thought processes and interactions with others.
Narratives as Lures for Feeling
Narratives are powerful tools that shape our emotional responses and, consequently, our perceptions and actions. In process philosophy, narratives can be seen as "lures for feeling," guiding our emotions toward certain interpretations of reality. Political narratives, for example, can evoke feelings of pride, fear, or disgust, drawing us into a particular worldview and reinforcing our sense of identity. These narratives do not merely inform our thinking; they engage our emotions, making us more susceptible to emotional appeals that align with the story being told. Understanding the role of narratives as lures for feeling can help us recognize how our emotions are shaped by the stories we encounter, whether in the media, in political discourse, or in our personal lives. By becoming more aware of this dynamic, we can better navigate the emotional landscapes that narratives create and maintain a more balanced perspective in our interactions with others.
Optics as Lures for Feeling
Optics, or the visual presentation of events, individuals, and ideas, also play a crucial role in reinforcing the power of narratives. In an age where images and videos are consumed rapidly and widely, how something "looks" can have as much, if not more, impact than the underlying substance. Optics shape our emotional and psychological responses, often evoking immediate feelings of trust, distrust, admiration, or disgust. For instance, a well-staged political rally, a carefully curated social media feed, or a strategically framed news photograph can instantly create or reinforce a narrative, influencing public perception before any words are spoken. The visual elements of a narrative can powerfully reinforce the emotions it seeks to evoke, making the story not just something we hear or read but something we see and feel. Understanding the role of optics in narratives helps us recognize how visual cues can subtly shape our beliefs and attitudes, often bypassing rational analysis and directly appealing to our emotions.
The Limitations of Facts and Figures
Narratives and optics have a greater power than mere "information" or "policy disputes" because they resonate on an emotional level, crafting a sense of meaning and purpose that data alone cannot provide. While information and policy debates focus on facts, figures, and logical arguments, narratives weave these elements into stories that connect with our values, identities, and lived experiences. This emotional connection makes narratives far more compelling and memorable than abstract information or technical policy discussions. In political contexts, narratives often shape public opinion and mobilize collective action more effectively than detailed policy proposals because they tap into shared emotions and cultural symbols. This power of narratives underscores the importance of understanding how they influence not only our thinking but also our feelings, often guiding us toward particular beliefs and actions with a force that raw data cannot match.
The Metaphysics of Emotion
Indeed, Whitehead believes that emotions are "ingressions" of timeless (eternal) potentialities for subjectively responding to the world, which he calls "eternal objects of the subjective species." These emotions are not limited to human experience but are fundamental aspects of the universe itself. Even quantum events in the depths of atoms experience adversion and aversion, attraction and repulsion, as do living cells and other animals on Earth. If there are forms of life on other planets (and most likely there are), they too will experience emotions. This universal presence of emotions highlights their integral role in all forms of existence, from the microscopic to the cosmic.
Emotions as Integral to All Experience
Process philosophy, with its emphasis on the integral role of emotions, offers a deeper understanding of how feelings influence every aspect of our experience, from the physical to the conceptual, and even in our sense of being right or wrong. This perspective encourages a more reflective and open approach to our interactions with the world and with others. By becoming more attuned to the emotional currents that shape our thoughts and actions, we can cultivate more constructive and compassionate relationships, even with those on the "other side." This understanding can reduce the tendency to demonize others, promoting a more compassionate and reflective engagement with the world.
The Divine Lure Toward Friendship and Dialogue
In process theology, God is understood not as a distant, all-controlling entity but as an active, dynamic presence in the world, experienced as an inwardly felt lure or beckoning toward creative transformation. This divine lure is a gentle but persistent call toward growth, novelty, and mutual understanding. It invites individuals and communities to transcend their current limitations, fostering deeper connections and more inclusive relationships.
This idea of God as a lure toward transformation is particularly relevant in the context of dialogue across political divides. The same divine presence that calls us to personal and spiritual growth also beckons us toward understanding and compassion in our interactions with others. In this view, every encounter with "the other side" can be seen as an opportunity for creative transformation—an invitation to move beyond entrenched positions and engage in a more meaningful and constructive dialogue.
God’s lure is not coercive but persuasive, encouraging us to respond freely and creatively to the challenges and opportunities we face. In the realm of political and social discourse, this means being open to the possibility that the people we disagree with might have insights that can contribute to our own growth and understanding. It means approaching dialogue not as a zero-sum game where one side must win and the other must lose, but as a shared journey toward greater truth, understanding, and wholeness.
The divine lure toward dialogue encourages us to see beyond the surface-level differences that often divide us and to recognize the deeper commonalities that unite us. This perspective aligns with the process philosophy’s emphasis on interconnectedness and mutual influence, reminding us that our well-being is inherently tied to the well-being of others. In this way, dialogue becomes a spiritual practice, a means through which we respond to God’s call to create a more just, compassionate, and harmonious world.
By embracing this divine lure toward friendship and dialogue, we can move beyond the emotions of disgust and division, opening ourselves to the possibility of transformation—both individually and collectively. We can begin to see those on the "other side" not as enemies to be defeated but as fellow travelers on the journey toward a richer, more inclusive understanding of truth. This is the promise of process theology: that in every moment, God is calling us toward a more profound and creative engagement with the world and with one another, guiding us toward a future where dialogue, not division, is the foundation of our shared life.
The Need for a Post-Partisan Narrative
The need is also for a narrative of dialogue: that is, a story, a way of looking at the world, that emphasizes cooperation over competition, inclusion over disgust, partnership over partisanship. Process philosophy offers such a story with its emphasis on interconnectedness, mutual influence, and the creative advance into novelty. In process philosophy, reality is understood as a web of relationships, where every entity is both influenced by and influences others. This perspective naturally fosters a narrative of dialogue, where cooperation is not just a choice but a fundamental aspect of how the world operates.
Instead of seeing the world as a battleground for competing forces, process philosophy views it as a dynamic and ever-evolving process where diversity is embraced and differences are seen as opportunities for creative growth. Inclusion becomes a natural response to the realization that every entity, every perspective, contributes to the richness of the whole. Partnership, rather than partisanship, emerges from the understanding that we are all part of a larger process, and our well-being is tied to the well-being of others.
This narrative of dialogue, grounded in process philosophy, offers a hopeful and holistic way of engaging with the world, one that values collaboration, empathy, and the continuous unfolding of possibilities.
Positive Emotions That Can Counteract Political Disgust
Whitehead's philosophy, with its emphasis on persuasion and compassion, invites a shift from aversion to adversion (attraction) in politics—wherever possible. While it may not always be achievable, cultivating these positive emotions can help replace feelings of disgust:
Practical Steps
By practicing these steps, particularly by fostering familiarity and building friendships across political divides, you can move beyond disgust and create a more empathetic, constructive dialogue. This is our hope.
- Jay McDaniel
If you're conservative, you might feel a sense of disgust when thinking about liberals, and if you're liberal, you might feel a similar sense of disgust when thinking about conservatives. The sight of certain politicians, and even the sound of their voices, may evoke feelings of revulsion, and you'll feel justified in your reaction. "They" are focused on the wrong things, while "you" are aligned with what is right.
Whether you're on the left or the right, you'll likely prefer to be with your group, seeking support and validation from those who share your views. You may even post on Facebook or some other social media, seeking further support and reinforcement. The more people who agree with you, the more "right" you will feel. You and your group will share a mutual disgust for them.
The Tug of Disgust
You may believe that you are guided by reason alone, that your values are the "right" values, and that those on the other side are "wrong." You might think it's all about "thinking" correctly. However, when you see images on television of people representing "the other side," an emotion—however subtle—rises within you. This emotion, the emotion of disgust, is strangely attractive. It reinforces your sense of being "right" in your thinking. Political campaigns are aware of this. They know they can hook you emotionally and sway your vote through negative ads that evoke disgust toward the other side.
The Central Role of Emotions in Experience
Process philosophy, particularly as influenced by Whitehead, recognizes that emotions are not just peripheral to our experiences but central to them. Whether we’re dealing with sensory experiences or abstract, conceptual thinking, emotions like attraction (adversion) and repulsion (aversion) are always at play, shaping our perceptions and judgments. These emotions act as fundamental forces that drive our decisions, guiding us toward or away from certain objects, ideas, or people. They are present in all forms of experience, from basic physical responses to complex intellectual deliberations.
The Interplay Between Emotion and Thought
Even our most rational, conceptual experiences are not free from emotional influence. Emotions color our thoughts, guiding our reasoning and shaping the way we evaluate ideas and make decisions. This interplay suggests that pure reason, isolated from emotion, is an illusion; our thinking is always intertwined with our feeling. In the realm of conceptual experience—where we engage in abstract reasoning, moral deliberation, or philosophical reflection—emotions continue to play a crucial role. They influence which ideas we find compelling, which arguments resonate with us, and how we ultimately understand and engage with the world. In this way, emotions are seen as integral to the process of conceptualization itself.
The Evolutionary Basis of Emotions
Process philosophy also acknowledges the evolutionary roots of emotions like disgust, which originally helped early humans survive by avoiding harmful substances, such as rotten food or potential toxins. Disgust is a primal emotion that evolved as a protective mechanism, steering our ancestors away from dangers that could harm their health and survival. Over time, as humans developed more complex social structures and cultural practices, the scope of disgust broadened beyond physical survival. It began to influence our moral and social judgments, helping to maintain social cohesion by promoting certain norms and behaviors while discouraging others.
For example, feelings of disgust can arise in response to behaviors or practices that violate social or cultural taboos, reinforcing group identity and boundaries. This expanded role of disgust, however, also means that it can be manipulated to create or exacerbate divisions, as seen in political campaigns that exploit this emotion to demonize the "other side." This evolution of disgust from a simple survival tool to a complex social emotion illustrates how deeply ingrained and influential such emotions are in all aspects of human life.
The Emotion of "Being Right"
Moreover, the sense of "being right" also involves an emotion. The confidence or certainty we feel when we believe we are correct is often accompanied by emotions such as satisfaction, pride, or even superiority. This emotional reinforcement strengthens our attachment to certain beliefs or viewpoints, making it more challenging to remain open to alternative perspectives. In this way, the emotion tied to "being right" plays a crucial role in shaping our thought processes and interactions with others.
Narratives as Lures for Feeling
Narratives are powerful tools that shape our emotional responses and, consequently, our perceptions and actions. In process philosophy, narratives can be seen as "lures for feeling," guiding our emotions toward certain interpretations of reality. Political narratives, for example, can evoke feelings of pride, fear, or disgust, drawing us into a particular worldview and reinforcing our sense of identity. These narratives do not merely inform our thinking; they engage our emotions, making us more susceptible to emotional appeals that align with the story being told. Understanding the role of narratives as lures for feeling can help us recognize how our emotions are shaped by the stories we encounter, whether in the media, in political discourse, or in our personal lives. By becoming more aware of this dynamic, we can better navigate the emotional landscapes that narratives create and maintain a more balanced perspective in our interactions with others.
Optics as Lures for Feeling
Optics, or the visual presentation of events, individuals, and ideas, also play a crucial role in reinforcing the power of narratives. In an age where images and videos are consumed rapidly and widely, how something "looks" can have as much, if not more, impact than the underlying substance. Optics shape our emotional and psychological responses, often evoking immediate feelings of trust, distrust, admiration, or disgust. For instance, a well-staged political rally, a carefully curated social media feed, or a strategically framed news photograph can instantly create or reinforce a narrative, influencing public perception before any words are spoken. The visual elements of a narrative can powerfully reinforce the emotions it seeks to evoke, making the story not just something we hear or read but something we see and feel. Understanding the role of optics in narratives helps us recognize how visual cues can subtly shape our beliefs and attitudes, often bypassing rational analysis and directly appealing to our emotions.
The Limitations of Facts and Figures
Narratives and optics have a greater power than mere "information" or "policy disputes" because they resonate on an emotional level, crafting a sense of meaning and purpose that data alone cannot provide. While information and policy debates focus on facts, figures, and logical arguments, narratives weave these elements into stories that connect with our values, identities, and lived experiences. This emotional connection makes narratives far more compelling and memorable than abstract information or technical policy discussions. In political contexts, narratives often shape public opinion and mobilize collective action more effectively than detailed policy proposals because they tap into shared emotions and cultural symbols. This power of narratives underscores the importance of understanding how they influence not only our thinking but also our feelings, often guiding us toward particular beliefs and actions with a force that raw data cannot match.
The Metaphysics of Emotion
Indeed, Whitehead believes that emotions are "ingressions" of timeless (eternal) potentialities for subjectively responding to the world, which he calls "eternal objects of the subjective species." These emotions are not limited to human experience but are fundamental aspects of the universe itself. Even quantum events in the depths of atoms experience adversion and aversion, attraction and repulsion, as do living cells and other animals on Earth. If there are forms of life on other planets (and most likely there are), they too will experience emotions. This universal presence of emotions highlights their integral role in all forms of existence, from the microscopic to the cosmic.
Emotions as Integral to All Experience
Process philosophy, with its emphasis on the integral role of emotions, offers a deeper understanding of how feelings influence every aspect of our experience, from the physical to the conceptual, and even in our sense of being right or wrong. This perspective encourages a more reflective and open approach to our interactions with the world and with others. By becoming more attuned to the emotional currents that shape our thoughts and actions, we can cultivate more constructive and compassionate relationships, even with those on the "other side." This understanding can reduce the tendency to demonize others, promoting a more compassionate and reflective engagement with the world.
The Divine Lure Toward Friendship and Dialogue
In process theology, God is understood not as a distant, all-controlling entity but as an active, dynamic presence in the world, experienced as an inwardly felt lure or beckoning toward creative transformation. This divine lure is a gentle but persistent call toward growth, novelty, and mutual understanding. It invites individuals and communities to transcend their current limitations, fostering deeper connections and more inclusive relationships.
This idea of God as a lure toward transformation is particularly relevant in the context of dialogue across political divides. The same divine presence that calls us to personal and spiritual growth also beckons us toward understanding and compassion in our interactions with others. In this view, every encounter with "the other side" can be seen as an opportunity for creative transformation—an invitation to move beyond entrenched positions and engage in a more meaningful and constructive dialogue.
God’s lure is not coercive but persuasive, encouraging us to respond freely and creatively to the challenges and opportunities we face. In the realm of political and social discourse, this means being open to the possibility that the people we disagree with might have insights that can contribute to our own growth and understanding. It means approaching dialogue not as a zero-sum game where one side must win and the other must lose, but as a shared journey toward greater truth, understanding, and wholeness.
The divine lure toward dialogue encourages us to see beyond the surface-level differences that often divide us and to recognize the deeper commonalities that unite us. This perspective aligns with the process philosophy’s emphasis on interconnectedness and mutual influence, reminding us that our well-being is inherently tied to the well-being of others. In this way, dialogue becomes a spiritual practice, a means through which we respond to God’s call to create a more just, compassionate, and harmonious world.
By embracing this divine lure toward friendship and dialogue, we can move beyond the emotions of disgust and division, opening ourselves to the possibility of transformation—both individually and collectively. We can begin to see those on the "other side" not as enemies to be defeated but as fellow travelers on the journey toward a richer, more inclusive understanding of truth. This is the promise of process theology: that in every moment, God is calling us toward a more profound and creative engagement with the world and with one another, guiding us toward a future where dialogue, not division, is the foundation of our shared life.
The Need for a Post-Partisan Narrative
The need is also for a narrative of dialogue: that is, a story, a way of looking at the world, that emphasizes cooperation over competition, inclusion over disgust, partnership over partisanship. Process philosophy offers such a story with its emphasis on interconnectedness, mutual influence, and the creative advance into novelty. In process philosophy, reality is understood as a web of relationships, where every entity is both influenced by and influences others. This perspective naturally fosters a narrative of dialogue, where cooperation is not just a choice but a fundamental aspect of how the world operates.
Instead of seeing the world as a battleground for competing forces, process philosophy views it as a dynamic and ever-evolving process where diversity is embraced and differences are seen as opportunities for creative growth. Inclusion becomes a natural response to the realization that every entity, every perspective, contributes to the richness of the whole. Partnership, rather than partisanship, emerges from the understanding that we are all part of a larger process, and our well-being is tied to the well-being of others.
This narrative of dialogue, grounded in process philosophy, offers a hopeful and holistic way of engaging with the world, one that values collaboration, empathy, and the continuous unfolding of possibilities.
Positive Emotions That Can Counteract Political Disgust
Whitehead's philosophy, with its emphasis on persuasion and compassion, invites a shift from aversion to adversion (attraction) in politics—wherever possible. While it may not always be achievable, cultivating these positive emotions can help replace feelings of disgust:
- Empathy: Fostering a deep understanding across political divides.
- Respect: Valuing the inherent dignity of all political participants.
- Hope: Building a shared vision for a more just and inclusive future.
- Healthy Patriotism: Embracing a love for country that honors all its citizens.
- Curiosity: Encouraging open-minded engagement with differing perspectives.
- Compassion: Cultivating genuine concern for the well-being of everyone, regardless of political stance.
- Solidarity: Promoting unity in addressing common challenges and goals.
- Gratitude: Acknowledging the contributions that diverse perspectives bring to the table.
- Civic Pride: Taking pride in the democratic process and the richness of societal diversity.
Practical Steps
- Acknowledge Your Emotions
Start by recognizing when you're feeling disgust. Reflect on what triggers this emotion and how it might reinforce your sense of being "right." Awareness is the first step toward a more open mindset. - Cultivate Empathy and Curiosity
Shift from judgment to curiosity. Instead of seeing the other side as wrong, try to understand their experiences and values. Ask questions that encourage sharing and allow you to see the humanity behind their beliefs. - Engage in Active Listening
Listen fully without planning your response. Active listening shows respect and can help you move past emotional reactions, opening the door to meaningful dialogue. - Find Common Ground
Identify shared concerns or values. Even when you disagree, finding common ground can reduce emotional distance and foster connection. - Foster Familiarity
Take the time to get to know people with different views. Building relationships across political divides helps to humanize the other side and can soften your emotional responses. Shared experiences and friendships can bridge gaps that seem insurmountable. - Practice Emotional Regulation
Use techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness to stay calm during difficult conversations. This helps you respond thoughtfully rather than reactively. - Educate Yourself About the Other Side
Learn about the perspectives and values of those on the other side. Understanding their views can provide a more balanced perspective and reduce the intensity of your emotional reactions. - Create Safe Spaces for Dialogue
Encourage environments where people can discuss differing views without fear of judgment. This could be through community forums, discussion groups, or online platforms. - Focus on Solutions
Instead of dwelling on differences, steer the conversation toward problem-solving. Collaborating on shared challenges can transform opposition into cooperation.
By practicing these steps, particularly by fostering familiarity and building friendships across political divides, you can move beyond disgust and create a more empathetic, constructive dialogue. This is our hope.
- Jay McDaniel