Beliefs and Ideas

Since going to University, I am seeing the fine art in having constructive debates, especially in the Environmental sciences and sustainable development areas.  Why do people feel the way they do? Why does everyone not agree on the same thing? Why is it, for example, that some people deny such issues as Climate Change when others don't?

It is due to our established beliefs.  Our beliefs and ideas govern how we think and listen.  Religion, politics, class, gender, nationality and health are all minefields of reaction, as most of us feel fairly strongly about such areas and in some instances we can be very uncompromising about such matters.

Whenever we feel that our established and cherished beliefs or ideas are threatened by others, we either refuse to listen or our emotions may block and interfere with the process of listening.
Communication breaks down, arguments develop, relationships become strained and tolerance and patience are thrown to the wind, usually because of poor listening skills.

We need to be aware of our emotional attachments to beliefs and ideas, and realise that others are just as attached to entirely different and even opposing notions. We do not have to agree with something, but we should learn to listen to and respect opinions that are different from our own.

This is how things get done.