If you’re trying to appeal to people with a different ideology, try to discover what values resonate with them – then present your argument in terms of how it supports those values, not in terms of your own values.
How to Do It
First, it’s important to make sure the values or morals you believe others have aren’t based on your own assumptions or stereotypes. You could do this by asking questions like, “What are important values that you try to uphold in your life?” and “Who taught you those values, or what experiences formed those values for you?”
Next, think about how those values might be the same or different from your own; you might discover that you have more in common than you initially thought. If they seem very different, then consider how those values might shape the issues you care about.
You don’t need to agree with those values. The point of this exercise is to understand them.
Once you understand their values, you might even find yourself better able to make yourself and your opinions understood by the other person. Even if you fail to persuade them to your position, you’ll have gained something from arguing from a position of empathy rather than hostility.
Why Try It
Typically, when we discuss the issues we care about, we tend to give our own reasons, based on our own morals or values. However, we sometimes forget that the people we’re talking to might not share these same morals or values. The purpose of this practice (sometimes referred to as “moral reframing”) isn’t to simply persuade another person to agree with you; rather, it’s to help them understand where you’re coming from and to understand where they’re coming from. Ultimately, this practice enables us to have more civil and less polarizing political conversations, even if we don’t ultimately agree on the issue.
Keep in Mind
“Moral reframing” can be used to win someone over to your position, but try to remember that understanding, not persuasion, is the goal here.