My favourite phrase in a conversation is, “but at the same time…”.

It shows that the speaker is able to hold multiple views simultaneously, which is something terribly difficult to do. We love to ensure our beliefs are as strong and correct as possible. Holding an opposing view can disrupt this goal.

But holding conflicting opinions is so important.

Holding one opinion is easy. The internet and world feeds opinions to us every day. You need to buy this. These books are great. Believe our political views. A parrot can absorb these ideas and regurgitate them.

To hold multiple views at the same time shows critical thought, openness and creativity. It also makes for a much more interesting conversation, as debates get longer and deeper, more windy and complex. The insight of having your belief shaken is difficult, but liberating.

“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” – Scott F. Fitzgerald