Do believe people on the extremes of the political spectrum can change their minds or admit they are wrong?

Question

Will the far right or the far left ever admit that they are wrong or change their mind on issues such as climate change, free trade, taxes, immigration policy, military policy even if they are shown facts that counter their beliefs?

Here's a typical argument with a political extremist:

He makes a point.
I make a counterpoint.
He says I'm wrong.
I present research or facts to back up counterpoint.
He says I'm listening to lamestream lying media/Faux News and my facts are wrong.
I ask him to prove they're wrong.
Instead of trying to prove me wrong with facts and research, he insults me and/or says he won't waste his time on me.

The only people who have ever blocked me on GAG did so over political diagreements where they could not refute my points

DryGermanGuy · Accepted Answer

Only in small numbers, especially in the MAGA cult. Admitting for them to have been wrong at this point is more like joining a de-radicalization program for religious fanatics. I have read interviews with ex-Qanon followers describing how they got sucked in and how painful it was to realize they have been duped. One huge difference I have noted though (and it's similar in my country) : Extreme left people tend to be educated and well-informed about reality, just their ideas and methods may be delusional/unrealistic. Radical right people tend to be uneducated peasants, living a life in delusions, full of paranoia, hate and conspiracy theories.

lightbulb27 · Accepted Answer

i think extremes by nature become fixated in their viewpoints.

People whom challenge themselves are impressive! But as well, people with flexible minds and views can be perceived as weak in society.

There are opposing views of issues... how should we manage humanity relative to climate change.

Anonymous · Answer

The rights ARE right! It's the LEFTS that are blind as fuck and REFUSE to tell the truth or believe the facts because they have an agenda and are trying to brainwash the followers of their cult!! Looks like they've done a good job on you, so far!!
Wakey wakey!! Time to step into the real world, little one!! You need to start wearing your big boy pants! Santa Claus, the Oyster bunny and the boogeyman don't exist!! You've been wearing those rose-coloured glasses long enough! Time to grow up and think for yourself!

strateguy632 · Answer

1, false equation. far right is the white supremacists. maga opposed the "extremists" you mentioned.

2, but EVEN in non extremists, ZERO democrat even not extreme... will budge because they don't even HEAR or see the other option... as we see used here "i don't wanna see" option. and in interviews on fox news... in contrast to genius candace owens who DISMANTLES the democrat talking points exposed they were just nonsense!

Bricealan · Answer

From what I see and read and hear, I think those are two irreconcilable ends of the spectrum. A guy I work with, stated it this way... he said the differences are TWO DIFFERENT VIEW OF REALITY

If that is true, and I think it may be, I don't know how we alter another's view of what is reality... Kinda like the Matrix and those that saw the world the way it is and those that WANT to see it another way.

Anonymous · Answer

They can. But why would they want to do that? 90% of politics is pointing out the blood on your opponents hands not admitting the blood dripping from yours. Why? Because negative facts, (not even facts!) About your opponent have been proven conclusively to work. Problem is it's become such a staple of our elective process nobody likes anyone anymore.😆

AngryCarl · Answer

It's not about facts, it's about psychology. You can't change someone's mind by quoting facts at them. You need to appeal to their emotions, which is what their beliefs are based on. Also, offer them cookies.

DrPepper12 · Answer

Extremists are incapable of change. It's baked into their identity. It's futile.

jahaims · Answer

Not usually. It's a cult like religion. There isn't logic behind it just emotions.

Dargil · Answer

Yes. I admit that I was pro-abortion when I wanted to fukk raw but became very pro-life.  I was wrong .

NathanDavis · Answer

far, and extreme... are defined by this very reason, lol...

msc545 · Answer

MAGA take pride in not listenng to facts, and never changing their minds.

KrakenAttackin · Answer

You show your true colors by calling MAGA "extreme".

exitseven · Answer

The country is too divided to ever be whole again

LazyDork · Answer

Maybe you're the one who's wrong?

Do believe people on the extremes of the political spectrum can change their minds or admit they are wrong?

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