Sage Center
Speaker Series
Empathetic Disagreement: An Evening With A World Champion Debater
Bo Seo
Wednesday, September 25 | 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Kazu Fukuda Black Box Theater
Click here to RSVP!
In this talk, Bo Seo demonstrates that good arguments can help us bridge differences in our workplaces, campuses, and communities. Whereas empathy is often viewed as a spontaneous mental connection or a virtue, debate shows that it is an action. Participants learn through practical and versatile exercises how to view the debate from the opposing perspective, to listen actively, and to disagree with respect. In a time of polarization, Seo shares vital lessons from the world of competitive debate on how to build a community around, and not in spite of, disagreement.
Bo Seo is an author, a two-time world champion debater and a former coach of the Australian national debating team and the Harvard College Debating Union. One of the most recognized figures in the global debate community, he has won both the World Schools Debating Championship and the World Universities Debating Championship. His first book, "Good Arguments," is slated for publication in 10 languages. Bo has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, CNN and many other publications. He has worked as a national reporter for the Australian Financial Review and has been a regular panelist on the prime time Australian debate program, The Drum. Bo graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College and received a master’s degree in public policy from Tsinghua University. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School.
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In this talk, Bo Seo demonstrates that good arguments can help us bridge differences in our workplaces, campuses, and communities. Whereas empathy is often viewed as a spontaneous mental connection or a virtue, debate shows that it is an action. Participants learn through practical and versatile exercises how to view the debate from the opposing perspective, to listen actively, and to disagree with respect. In a time of polarization, Seo shares vital lessons from the world of competitive debate on how to build a community around, and not in spite of, disagreement.
Bo Seo is an author, a two-time world champion debater and a former coach of the Australian national debating team and the Harvard College Debating Union. One of the most recognized figures in the global debate community, he has won both the World Schools Debating Championship and the World Universities Debating Championship. His first book, "Good Arguments," is slated for publication in 10 languages. Bo has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, CNN and many other publications. He has worked as a national reporter for the Australian Financial Review and has been a regular panelist on the prime time Australian debate program, The Drum. Bo graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College and received a master’s degree in public policy from Tsinghua University. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School.
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