In Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, egocentrism — the inability to understand others’ perspectives — is a hallmark of the preoperational stage (ages 2-7 years). It is supposed to disappear during the concrete operational stage (ages 7-11 years), although for some of us, including many of the writers and pundits on this page, it hasn’t.
In the last several years my family has lived in Snohomish County, I have learned a lot about viewpoints in this area. I do not share most of them, but I respect the right of everyone to voice their opinion.
I struggle to understand why, in a state that claims to accept diversity on so many levels, diversity of thought is so often not appreciated or welcomed. As my family moves away from this beautiful state next month, I wanted to point out that I am not canceling my Herald subscription due to a difference of opinion, or out of frustration with the biased slant of this editorial page.
However, I do want to invite all of us to look past our own prejudices and biases (we all have them!) to at least try to truly understand others — and if we can’t understand them, at least accept them and allow them the dignity to disagree with us without feeling a need to correct them.
As your insightful columnist Carolyn Hax wrote today (hands down, my favorite column in your paper on any given day!): “I hope covering these details didn’t muffle the main point: that you think like yourself, they think like themselves and civilization hinges on your not conflating the two.”
Anna Dinsmoor
Lake Stevens
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
