Please agree to the rules of civil conversation
Please agree to the
The School of Thought
The Thinking Shop
24 biases stuffing up your thinking
The Free Learning List
Thou shalt not commit logical fallacies
Critical Thinking Cards
I resolve to:
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1
Try and reach a shared understanding rather than ‘win the argument’.
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2
Clarify with others to make sure I genuinely understand their perspective.
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3
Endeavor to avoid committing logical fallacies in support of my claims.
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4
Attempt to account for my own biases and try to be intellectually humble.
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5
Try to be reasonable, rational, and create coherent arguments.
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6
Refrain from personal attacks, sarcasm, and mean-spiritedness.
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Use the ‘Principle of Charity’ to see the merits of others’ points of view in the best light.
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Remain genuinely receptive to changing my mind if presented with compelling arguments or evidence.
This is not a legal contract, just a promise to act in good faith. See below for more info.
Provided free of charge by 501c3 non profit schoolofthought.org. See terms and conditions.
About this project
Our world is becoming increasingly polarized, and it can often feel counterproductive to engage in conversation.
However, while conversations can drive us apart, they can also bring us closer together. By reframing our conversations as something we’re doing to reach a shared understanding, we have a much better chance of actually doing so.
We don’t always have to agree, but it’s important that we treat each other with respect and act in good faith.
You can use this website in a number of ways:
- If a conversation has become heated and personal, you can ask people to agree to TheRulesOfCivilConversation.org before commenting further
- When you’re posting something you think might result in controversy, you can ask people to agree to TheRulesOfCivilConversation.org before engaging
- Or you might want to talk with a family member or friend whose beliefs have diverged from your own, but you don’t want to harm your relationship
When someone confirms their agreement using the button above, they’ll be sent an email with a timestamp and a shareable confirmation link so that everyone knows we’re on the same good-faith conversational page.
Print and share the Rules of Civil Conversation
Hang next to your desk, share online to encourage civil engagement,
or print and hang in a public space or classroom.
Download all designs for free as high res PDFs & JPGs in a ZIP file:
Download all designs for free as high res PDFs & JPGs in a ZIP file:
These are Creative Commons so please share like the world depends on it.
This project is an initiative of The School of Thought – a 501c3 non profit dedicated to promoting critical thinking and rationality. You can download our Creative Commons resources & support our cause by buying some sweet in-real-life merch at thethinkingshop.org or join our mission via our Patreon Page
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THE SCHOOL OF THOUGHT NETWORK
- The Thinking Shop
- The School of Thought
- TEDx Talk
- Your Fallacy Is
- Your Bias Is
- Free Learning List