Cass Sunstein Quotes

The politicians are not the only people who are in their own silos. Many of our citizens only watch or listen to the news that they want to hear, and if there is anything else, they turn it off. We all need to listen to the people who are on the other side.

It is only when the partisan shouting stops that we can hear each other's voices and concerns.

I think one of the things that we are facing right now is that we've stopped listening to each other in our politics.

By isolating ourselves from those with whose opinions we disagree, we lose the ability to defend our beliefs.

The goal of any worthwhile and effective journal of opinion analysis in navigating what is an increasingly tribal and divisive period in American history should be to promote real debate. That does not mean retreating to our corners and pretending that, if we ignore the perspectives we don't like, they will magically go away.

You don't see people that are willing to say 'You know what, you might be different politically, but let's find some common ground, let's find ways that we're actually similar.' We just assume immediately that we have nothing in common, what can even talk to that person about.

I often go into the lions' den and engage with those I know oppose my views, because I want to understand what other people think.

It's important for people to, instead of automatically assuming everything the opposite side says is incorrect, you have to at least listen and see why someone might feel a certain way.

We need to start listening to each other and getting out of our own little labeled bubbles.

Different people, in good faith, can look at the same fact and interpret it differently. But that's where an interesting conversation begins.

You should be able to voice your opinion and respect the voice of the other side. You should be willing to educate yourself and know what it is you're dealing with.

Dialogue between people of differing views is critical for fostering understanding in a democracy.

The loudest voices we hear are those who advocate conflict, divisiveness.

We cannot learn from one another until we stop shouting at one another - until we speak quietly enough so that our words can be heard as well as our voices.

My mother always taught us that if people don't agree with you, the important thing is to listen to them. But if you've listened to them carefully and you still think that you're right, then you must have the courage of your convictions.

When you talk, you only talk about something that you already know. But when you listen, you can learn something you don’t know.

We cannot learn from one another until we stop shouting at one another

The person in New York City is showing too little empathy for the Trump voter. The Trump voter is showing too little empathy for the person who's very worried about the refugee ban. They're not spending enough time with each other to have a meaningful conversation.

I live in places where, although I don't take public stands, I'm surrounded by liberals, and I've spent a lot of time in this country talking to people who have very different views than the people I live around and trying to see kind of what's in common beneath those conversations.

I am always open to new ideas, but you can't always be right.

I think I've always had that orientation to try to understand the humanity behind people with whom I disagree.

When you reach across the aisle and open your heart and mind, you might just find that you have more in common than you think with the guy on the other side of the fence.

[The main focus in my life now is] to open people's minds so no one will be so conceited that they think they have the total truth. They should be eager to learn, to listen, to research and not to confine, to hurt, to kill, those who disagree with them.

You've got to reach a hand of friendship across the aisle and across philosophies in this country.

I enjoy the debate... I haven't met a single person in Congress yet that I dislike. It's not about moderating your views: it's about being able to talk about them and defending them in a way that's uplifting to people.