I’m not sure why I decided to read Alan Jacobs’ How to Think, but I’m sure glad I did.

We live in contentious times when we all need to give the divisive issues we face some serious thought, and Jacobs begins by suggesting that we are reluctant to do so. That’s especially true when it comes to ideas and people we disagree with which he and ot hers have called the “repugnant cultural other.”

On one level, Jacobs covers familiar turf–at least for me. Critiques of pure rationality, In-group/out-group dynamics. And more.

But there are two reasons why this book stands out as someone who works in both peacebuilding and comparative politics.

First is his sense that we actually think the best and the most productively when we work with people and ideas we disagree with the most. Thus, on p. 148 he advises readers “to seek out the best–the smartest–most sensible, most fair-minded–representatives of the positions you disagree with. Bering around those people forces me to confront ceartain truths about myself that I would rather avoid; and that alone is reason to seek every means possible to constrain the energies of animus.” I already knew that these are the kinds of people I learn the most from. It was cool to have my preconceptions validated in this book!

Second, Jacobs clearly practices what he preaches. He teaches in the honors college at Baylor which means he is surrounded by controversy a lot these days. With just a bit of reading between the lines, it’s clear that he is more liberal on social issues than most of his colleagues. Yet, it is even clearer that he listens to them with respect and truly thinks about what they say. In particular, he asks us to separate the people who are making a point we disagree with from the issue itself so that we have a better chance of thinking deeply about what that person has to say. To cite one kind of seemingly trivial example he alludes to. I like the Yankees and therefore dislike the Red Sox. But I can like Red Sox fans and even agree with them on something else like Michigan football or even Donald Trump.

In short, if we all followed Jacobs’ advice and truly thought about how some of the people we disagree have some good ideas and may even ben downright likable, just maybe we might make some progress and even get alone with each other better.

No matter which of our many culture wars bugs you, this is a book you need to read and you need to incorporate in your work.