About UsWe seek to empower people and maintain a civil society through education in rhetoric and communication. We draw on academic theory in rhetoric, linguistics, and communication to provide practical strategies for dialogue in pluralistic societies. We seek to provide people with tools to build bridges across differences. Mutual Persuasion believes that a citizen in a pluralistic society should have a well-rounded understanding of communication. Mutual Persuasion aims to develop an institution offering educational resources accessible to the general public and to academia that promote the power and necessity of communication in maintaining a society where unity and diversity can coexist.Mutual Persuasion ProjectMP_c459b3ac-7cdd-11ee-afc8-ca31f282ea00The Mutual Persuasion Project is a collaborative initiative for promoting the power of communication across differences. We are scholars in rhetoric, linguistics, communication, and psychology. We seek to empower people through education in practical strategies for communication in pluralistic civil societies. We draw on academic theory in rhetoric, linguistics, and communication to provide people with tools to build bridges across differences.Mutual Persuasion TeamErec SmithDIRECTOR | York College of Pennsylvania, Rhetoric & CompositionJonathan HaidtADVISOR | New York University Stern, PsychologyMichael MauneMassachusetts Institute of Technology, Applied LinguisticsAllison EllsworthArizona State University, Rhetoric & CompositionCorinne DalelioCoastal Carolina University, CommunicationAmy LombardiApplied LinguisticsJoy GoldsteinRhetoric & CompositionA society where unity and diversity can coexist_c459b488-7cdd-11ee-afc8-ca31f282ea00To empower people and maintain a civil society through education in rhetoric and communication_c459b51e-7cdd-11ee-afc8-ca31f282ea00DialogueWe see polarization as a major problem facing America today. Tribalism and xenophobia have become formidable obstacles. The ability to communicate across differences is waning across our citizenry. America needs dialogue. America needs to be trained in mutual persuasion.RespectWe believe complex problems can only be re-solved through ongoing, respectful, and inclusive dialogue.InclusivityKnowledgeWe think our academic fields can do a better job of addressing the complex problems of polarization through sharing the knowledge of effective communication with all people.CommunicationRhetoricWe see a pressing need for rhetorical education focused on developing awareness of ourselves, our contexts, and the people we communicate with.EducationWe believe a rhetorical education can help open doors to understanding different perspectives. That’s why we founded the Mutual Persuasion Project.SinceretyWe value sincerity and intellectual humility.Intellectual HumilityCourageWe believe saying what you think can be an act of profound courage. We also believe that having the courage to admit that you might be wrong is a foundational skill of all sincere inquiry.UnderstandingWe believe these two values are key to a productive understanding of human experience.Non-partisanshipMutual Persuasion is non-partisan. We therefore welcome participants from all political viewpoints. Our goal is to make sure that everyone has the communication tools to pursue their own goals in a pluralistic society. We won’t judge you if you support or oppose a particular political stance. We seek to empower people to advocate for their causes in a way that promotes mutual understanding and avoids polarization.UnityMutual Persuasion believes that an ideal citizen has a well-rounded understanding of communication, and our mission is to provide that understanding to as many as possible. Through our work, Mutual Persuasion hopes to institutionalize the spirit of people like Daryl Davis, who see the power and necessity of communication in maintaining a society where unity and diversity can coexist.DiversitySocial ProblemsAddress social problems through dialogue_c459b5b4-7cdd-11ee-afc8-ca31f282ea00Daryl DavisActivist ~ "Dialogue is the greatest weapon known to man to successfully dismantle such things as fear, ignorance, violence, and racism. It is the least expensive weapon in the world. It is free, and yet it remains the most overlooked and unused."Mutual Persuasion aims to address social problems through dialogue. We look to the example of Daryl Davis, a black musician and activist, who is best known for his purposeful engagement with the Klu Klux Klan in an attempt to help end racism through dialogue. Many of the dialogues were successful, resulting in several Klansmen denouncing the organization in favor of mutual understanding between races. If Davis can use dialogue to bridge the divide between him, a black man, and members of the Ku Klux Klan, perhaps we can all use dialogue to bridge the differences and recognize commonalities in our own lives.Empowerment & UnderstandingEmpower people to advocate for their causes in a way that promotes mutual understanding and avoids polarization_c459b64a-7cdd-11ee-afc8-ca31f282ea001We won't judge you if you support or oppose a particular political stance. We seek to empower people to advocate for their causes in a way that promotes mutual understanding and avoids polarization.Goals & CommunicationEnsure that everyone has the communication tools to pursue their own goals in a pluralistic society_c459b6e0-7cdd-11ee-afc8-ca31f282ea002Our goal is to make sure that everyone has the communication tools to pursue their own goals in a pluralistic society. 2023-11-06https://mutualpersuasion.org/about-us/OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net