Overview
Civility is based on values, but the practice of Civility is about behavior and habits that can be learned and improved. Inspiration connects the Civility values with the Civility behaviors. Civility is a social norm subject to the laws of virtuous and vicious cycles. The widespread re-adoption of Civility as a social norm faces many challenges.
Behaviors/Habits
Civility is a set of behaviors that recognizes differences and builds mutual respect.
- Self-awareness
- Self-management
- Social awareness
- Relationship management
- Communications
- Growth
- Problem-solving
Civility is Really About 7 Behaviors – Good News
We now understand how humans behave. We are imperfect and amazing. We have the ability to balance the individual and the other, the individual and the community, the individual and spirit/God.
Civility is based upon the human dignity of each individual. The modern “cognitive science” approach embraces this insight. It offers tools to make our lives more effective, meaningful and satisfying. Civil individuals should invest time to master these subjects.
Civility: Cognitive Science to the Rescue – Good News
Cultures exist because individuals need to be combined into communities. Without cultural norms, expectations, education, rewards, penalties and taboos there wouldn’t be any culture, community or civilization. This requires society – and its leaders and influencers – to clearly define select important aspirational values AND to define what is TABOO, poison, shunned, beyond the pale, unacceptable, and rejected by all.
Cultural Norm/Virtuous Cycle
Civility is a set of behaviors based upon a set of values. It is adopted and grown by individuals based upon their conscious and unconscious experiences. The practice of Civility tends to promote Civility in others. Unchecked incivility tends to destroy Civility.
Civility as a Dynamic System – Good News
Inspiration
Civility offers direct and indirect benefits to individuals. In the end, it is both a practical and a moral choice. We live in a “secular age” where the received religious views can be challenged by well-meaning people. My belief is that our “classical liberal” democracy requires the support of a Civility subset of values. I also believe that our secular society requires this same subset of values to facilitate the interactions and transactions of modern life. I believe that almost all individuals can justify Civility values, behaviors and skill development on a practical basis alone. I hope that the 15 benefits described below will help everyone to make the right choice.
Civility: What’s In It for Me? – Good News
15 inspiring reasons to embrace Civility for ourselves and others.
Inspiring Civility – Good News
The “heart” is the source of our best thoughts, feelings and actions, including acting Civilly in daily life which builds the skills, influence and expectations to require Civility in our political world.
Healing the Heart of Democracy – Good News
Some personality types are more passionate about Civility, but all are welcome.
Civil Personality Types – Good News
We must have hopes, ideals and dreams.
Dream the Impossible Dream – Good News
Challenges
Civility encompasses values and behaviors, a dynamic process and personal growth. It offers a process solution to our common differences and potential conflicts. It has many component parts that change through time for each person. The core components can be learned and applied by everyone. The basics are easy. Practicing and perfecting Civility values and skills is the good work of a lifetime, worthy of our human dignity.
Civility is Not Simple or Easy – Good News
Civility is supported by left and right in America’s political history. Modern techniques for most effective group interactions and negotiations are neutral. The values that support Civility are neutral. Civility takes no stand on modern political issues. The latest attempt to define the “righteous” bases for politics provides no dimension opposed to civility. Civility can be used as a bipartisan base for our democracy and our day-to-day interactions.
Civility is Nonpartisan – Good News
Civility is not politeness, utopian, weak, emotional, partisan, righteous or apologetic. It can be used by the most serious, radical individuals to refine their own skills, engage with others and attempt to find common ground and understanding. It seeks to find solutions and to build relations. It seeks to undermine polarization. It does not prevent leftists or rightists from highlighting systematic injustices or threats to individual rights and liberties in our economic, political and social worlds.
Opposition to Civility is Unconvincing – Good News
The populist wing of the Republican party sounds like the far-left wing of the Democratic party. Civility is a tool of the other guys, unfair, biased, inadequate, ineffective, unreliable, soft, emotional and too slow. The Civility approach doesn’t support the simple polarizing approach of modern politics. It emphasizes facts, logic, values clarification, optimal means, compromises, discovery, short and long run trade-offs, all of the tools of the modern negotiator’s kitbag. It accepts that profound differences may remain in our political, economic and social realms.
Opposition to Civility is Unconvincing (2) – Good News
Civility is easy to caricature and dismiss. Simplistic “straw man” versions are easy to attack. It is a moderate and moderating approach, so some might call it conservative. It values interactions, feedback, process, learning and growth, so some might label it liberal.
Civility is for Everyone! – Good News
Civility does require personal work and interactions. We have a much better understanding of the components of Civility today. It offers a scalable solution to our many problems. It can be developed one step at a time. It can be used in all arenas of life. It can be taught to everyone. We can re-establish Civility as a social norm. Like other social norms, there is a virtuous cycle/network effect that leverages our progress. Modern social science classes provide very effective tools and classes to build our skills. Civility has personal benefits, especially a sense of personal agency. It has benefits for the institutions of modern life that can invest and promote it. Civility is a personal choice that cannot be prevented by groups that oppose it. Civility is a “no brainer”. We have the opportunity to re-establish it for the benefit of all.
Good News 
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