I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times

Guzmán addresses the concept of perspective and its role in shaping societal discourse. The chapter begins with an explanation of Hallin’s Spheres, a model that divides societal beliefs into three categories: The Sphere of Consensus (universally accepted beliefs); the Sphere of Legitimate Discourse (debatable topics); and the Sphere of Deviance (rejected beliefs). Guzmán notes that increasing political division causes the sphere of consensus to contract while blurring the boundaries between legitimate discourse and deviance.

The author introduces the Scottish term “ken” to illustrate the limitations of individual perspective. Originally used by sailors to describe their visible horizon at sea, the term evolved to represent the boundaries of personal knowledge and understanding. This analogy serves to demonstrate that individuals cannot comprehend what lies beyond their immediate experience and knowledge base.

Guzmán explains that when people encounter unclear or threatening ideas beyond their understanding, they often respond by manufacturing certainty rather than investigating further. This reaction stems from a desire for cognitive closure—the need to reach firm conclusions and avoid ambiguity. To counter this tendency, she advocates for asking the question, “What am I missing?”

The chapter introduces the concept of “I never thought of it that way” moments (dubbed “INTOIT moments”).