The art of argument
Image: Vishuddha chakra/throat chakra - the body’s energetic center of communication and expression
Is there a way to turn things around when we disagree?
Winter - spending more time indoors and the shift out of the past year’s cycle - can evoke inward reflection. As we assess what we enjoyed; what could use fine-tuning or shedding; and what we’d like to manifest, relationships in all areas of life intertwine, and we might ask, “…is it possible to turn the more difficult relationships into something positive? …how can I move through the world and these relationships with more grace?” Perhaps we avoid having uncomfortable conversations lest they become arguments, but is this really best?
This is an exploration of some ideas around argument. And do arguments have any value? And can they ever build consensus?
Differing points of view generally lead to the potential for an argument, and according to Aristotle in Metaphysics: “The investigation of the truth is in one way hard, in another easy. An indication of this is found in the fact that no one is able to attain the truth adequately…everyone says something true about the nature of things…but the fact that we can have a whole truth and not the particular part we aim at shows the difficulty of it.”
Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC) Greek philosopher
According to AristotlE
Aristotle goes on to write, “Perhaps, …the cause of the present difficulty is not in the facts but in us.” And then he posits that “seeing” is like bats coming out of the darkness of the cave and into the light of day - basically, the idea that we have perceptual filters being one issue. He then writes, “we should be grateful, not only to those whose opinions we may share, but also to those who have expressed more superficial views; for these also contributed something, by developing before us the powers of thought.”
Later in the text, he states, “Further, a person is necessarily in a better position to make a judgement when - as if they were opposing parties in a court case - [one] has heard all the contending arguments.”
legendary Hermes Trismegistus, ancient philosopher and priest believed to be the originator of Hermetic wisdom
hermetic philosophy
Hermetics encompasses the wisdom of the mystery schools and Dave Lanyon, lineage holder and head of the Modern Mystery School devoted an entire chapter on the subject of argument in his book, You Are Not Perfect..But You Are Getting There. He writes, “…let’s address a fundamental Hermetic understanding around arguing or disagreeing: if you have no ability to improve the state of the relationship or if what you or the other person says cannot make a positive difference to each other (even if only a little one), then do not bother to argue. There is no point and it will only lead to a worse state for everyone involved.”
“However, for those relationships where this matters and can make a positive difference, the following guidance can be of great use. We should also remember that just because you disagree or find yourself arguing does not mean one person is an angel and the other is a demon. Good people of good intent can argue.”
Lanyon also writes, “As Thomas Sowell, economist and thinker, said, ‘There are no solutions, only trade-offs.’ Embracing this shifts argument from conquest to compromise, aligning our soul with the Light’s broader vision, easing discord into growth’s harmony.”
These are only a few of the ideas in his chapter around whether or not, and how to engage in a difficult conversation. The chapter is filled with wisdom to help shift our thoughts around argument into something constructive rather than destructive. As he puts it, “The goal is not to create division, but to transform friction into Light - a force that sharpens rather than shatters.”
Find out more about the path of self-mastery and empowerment - Empower Thyself
Explore 1:1 sessions that address chakra energy rebalancing:
• Life Activation - an awakening that adds light to the divine blueprints
• Chakra and Tree of Life Awakening - a boost to the energy field