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The Three Degrees of Why™
An interactive workshop experience equipping groups with practical tools and skills to navigate ideological differences, uncover the values and interests behind opposing perspectives, and engage in constructive, civil dialogue, even on the most challenging issues.
Engaging. Transformative. Immediately Applicable.
A Practical, Repeatable Framework for Functional Dialogue
In today’s polarized climate, conversations often stall at the level of positions—what people believe—without exploring the deeper layers that shape those beliefs. The Three Degrees of Why™ offers a practical framework to help you move beyond surface disagreement and into functional dialogue.
These tools will help you explore how beliefs are formed—including the role of lived experiences and the stories we encounter through the wider cultural landscape
As you learn to recognize these deeper layers, you’ll gain practical ways to engage difficult conversations with greater clarity and confidence
The Three Degrees of Why™ Framework
As featured in the University of Pennsylvania's SNF Paideia Program.
The Three Degrees of Why™ guides participants through four stages: Position, Surface Why, Values Why, and Story Why. Each stage moves beyond what someone believes to uncover the deeper reasoning, values, and personal experiences that shape their perspective.
Workshop Includes
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Framing
An exploration of the cognitive and relational dynamics that emerge during disagreement, and how deeper inquiry can shift the quality of the conversation.
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Demonstration
Live modeling of the four layers: Position → Surface Why → Values Why → Story
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Guided Practice
Participants work in structured pairs or triads using facilitated prompts to move intentionally through each layer.
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Debrief & Application
Group reflection on what shifted and how this framework can be applied in real-world dialogue.
Ready to transform the way your group navigates disagreement?
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