Conflict and conflict resolution
![Ancient stone relief of four figures with intricate facial expressions and draped clothing, displayed against a blue background.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/a590c755-097c-4318-9676-2483d5a8fedb/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Communication and language
idea
How do good conversations work? Philosophy has something to say
The idea of what makes for a successful conversation is always tricky, and has always been contested by philosophers
by Stephanie Ross
![A woman and a man face off, gesticulating in an argument. Another woman stands nearby looking concerned amid a crowd outdoors.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/9ef20808-918b-4afb-802c-736a06c4da8e/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Conflict and conflict resolution
idea
Argue better by signalling your receptiveness with these words
All too often disagreements spiral into conflict. Prevent that happening by signalling your receptiveness with these words
by Michael Yeomans
![](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/0a4233cd-be99-49ac-ac45-a6bc58ce683d/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Communication and language
guide
How to have more meaningful conversations
Be brave enough to share, kind enough to listen, and you can escape the shallows of small talk to dive deep with another
by Lucy Foulkes
![Illustration of a person listening with a hand cupped to their ear, surrounded by soft pastel colours.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/147e66d9-9c14-4487-903b-964b248bd90e/rt-listening-high-res.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Communication and language
idea
Why listening well can make disagreements less damaging
Offering undivided attention and curiosity not only lowers the temperature of a conversation but can change its outcome
by Guy Itzchakov
![Close-up of a person with a beard wearing a black shirt with white, stitched letters spelling out “NO VAX”.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/7d6957a2-be0c-4495-a0cd-9a51e56ba69c/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Communication and language
idea
Why you shouldn’t shrink from challenging your loved ones’ views
Care is warranted when arguing with friends and family. But you can be respectful and still point out the flaws in their views
by Matt Ferkany
![Black-and-white photo of two people examining a map on the desert sand, with tyre tracks leading into the distance behind them under a clear sky.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/dc454d72-810c-497e-86ef-3ba16041c936/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Decision-making
guide
How to make a difficult decision
It’s tempting but unwise to delay important choices. Grasp the nettle by using both systematic checklists and gut instinct
by Joseph Bikart
![](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/52c3cfc6-2dda-4b18-a56f-55d187fb1f9b/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Communication and language
idea
For Montaigne, verbal jousting is the only way to reach truth
In a disagreement, you must face your opponent: only by verbal jousting will you reach the truth, said Michel de Montaigne
by Rachel Ashcroft
![Three women communicate across windows of different buildings, one in the foreground with glasses, two others in the background with an open window.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/f7e371a6-c128-4555-910d-1a9a866410cb/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Compassion and empathy
idea
Improve your relationships with the science of perspective-taking
Social psychology research is breaking down the process of perspective-taking and revealing ways to help us get along better
by Hunter Gehlbach
![](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/83bb2e62-4339-40c9-9832-98ad54304919/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Conflict and conflict resolution
guide
How to have a difficult conversation
Avoidance will only foster more conflict. Aim for a shared understanding with these techniques from an expert mediator
by Adar Cohen