Disagreement is the beginning, not the end
Although a disagreement has a negative connotation, it becomes of primary importance in any collective process. Any clash of ideas originates from individual values such as originality, creativity and critical thinking. When disagreements are embraced and examined, there is an increase in both individual input and motivation, which always stimulate interesting discussions. Without disagreements, a consensus of ideas and the refusal of confrontation can lead to apathy, passive acceptance and indoctrination.
A place that listens to you
Everyone has the right to participate. In group discussions some will talk more than others, but participation is more than talking. The discussions can be a place to learn, to deepen your understanding of the topic, so speak only when you want to. A collective process can be realised in an atmosphere of mutual respect, where all participants value and consider their own opinion as much as the opinion of everyone else.
The importance of intersubjectivity
Each collective thought is part of an intersubjective experience where people can learn with each other and from each other. Once we realize that our opinions cannot be objective, we are left with the relative value of our subjectivity. Through the collective process, the subjectivities of each participant interact with each other and affirms the intersubjectivity of a discussion. It is no more ‘my opinion’ but it is still not ‘the truth’: a collective thought is ‘our opinion’.
Non-ideological discourse
The Collective Thought Foundation refuses to take a unilateral stand on political, philosophical, religious, scientific and social issues. No collective thought is ever required to favour, protect or improve the Foundation by default. Each collective thought is the expression of a collective process through compromise and is not comparable to the individual views of those who participated.
A never-ending process
The Foundation has no desire to achieve one absolute overarching Collective Thought that must be always valid for all. Instead, each collective thought is an expression of a certain group of individuals in a given context. We must always be aware that a different group in the same context or the same group in a different context would have developed a different collective thought. All aspects of Collective Thought Theory may be relative, subjective and sometimes contradictory.