Can we still have constructive debates in an era of emotional arguments that feel like a battle to be won?

Daniel Taub has managed to explain the problem of our current times perfectly. With the rise of Twitter and internet arguments, we seem to have lost the ability to listen and replaced it with an idea that disagreements should be won at all cost. ‘Few things have effectively done more harm than the belief on the part of individuals or groups that they are in sole possession of the truth.’

However not all is lost as he also comes up with a solution.

He uses his experience working as a negotiator during some of the most turbulent times in modern Israel’s history to explain how, even when a situation seems impossible, an agreement can be reached. All we need is to open our ears to the other side, listen and try and understand their point of view, and above all we should learn again that it is ok to not know everything.

This also comes with the issue of bias as we selectively choose which information we deem trustworthy based on our own formed opinion. ‘One significant finding of this research is that the more years of education one has had, the more likely one is to be susceptible to confirmation bias, and to subconsciously edit the facts available to suit our preconceptions.’

All of his points are explained by examples from the Talmud and the Torah, as well as his real life experiences. Don’t be surprised, this book contains a lot of Jewish teachings but it is all well explained.

It is a book I would recommend to anyone alive today. After all, if James O’Brien could realise his stance is not always the correct one, so can anybody else in the world.