While reading my course required reading for Ethics and Moral Reasoning, I came across this quote from Mary Midgley, "Nobody can respect what is entirely unintelligible to them. To respect someone we have to know enough about him to make a favorable judgment, however general and tentative." This quote stood out to me as necessary to remember when attempting to relate to those of differing cultures and upbringings. For to understand someone, we must first step away from our perspective and experience to see the world through their eyes. Why do they believe what they believe? Why do they act in a certain way? Why do they seem unable to understand my point of view? What am I doing that may seem offensive to them simply because it is foreign? Once we approach these questions with genuine curiosity, we are better able to learn how to respect the differing individual. But not only respect the individual but respect their culture as well.
As I perceive the world, it is easy to see all the misunderstandings that occur due to others not fully understanding where another is coming from. It is hard to miss the pain and division that follows those misunderstandings. I begin to wonder if we were all to take a step back and attempt to understand the inner-workings of the individuals around us, we would be one step closer to achieving peace in our communities.
Anyways, that's just my two cents. You can take it or leave it. I am curious though. What are your thoughts on this quote?