From Conflict to Understanding - Led by Dr. Ariane David

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We live in a time when political, cultural, and religious divisions can seem impossible to cross. As Albert Einstein observed, “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”What then is the thinking that keeps us stuck in our thinking; unable to move on; unable to find lasting solutions to our differences; unable even to “hear” each other?

The problem isn’t simply what we think. It’s how we think.This presentation examines the mental habits that keep individuals and societies stuck in conflict. Drawing on evidence from systems thinking, ethics, and human behavior, Ariane introduces practical cognitive and spiritual exercises designed to help participants develop new ways of thinking about persistent human problems.

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What You’ll Learn

Positional thinking is the deeply ingrained belief that our own perspective is the only valid one—the truth.In the first part of this two-part seminar, you’ll learn to recognize positional thinking and begin letting go of the automatic impulse to judge or blame those who see things differently. In its place, you’ll practice genuine curiosity and discover how trust—and meaningful communication—can grow through understanding.These skills can be used in political and religious discussions, as well as in the everyday conversations we have with family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.

 

In the second part, Ariane will guide participants through a series of experiential exercises. You’ll have an opportunity to put Non-Positional Thinking into practice and experience how it can change the quality of a difficult conversation.

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This Isn’t Neutrality—It’s Clarity

Non-Positional Thinking doesn’t ask you to abandon your principles or pretend that every position is equally valid. It does help you approach disagreement with greater clarity, integrity, and understanding. Grounded in cognitive science and lived experience, it is a practical tool for anyone who wants to help build a more compassionate society, renew a divided church community, or heal a struggling relationship.

 

Why It Matters Now

This seminar directly supports the Church’s mission to build synodal communities—communities in which people listen carefully to one another and every voice is treated with dignity. It also reflects Pope Leo XIV’s call for ethical dialogue as a foundation for peacebuilding throughout the world.“Knowing how best to approach [social questions] is more important than providing immediate responses…”— Pope Leo XIV, Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation Address