It goes without saying. Where we draw that line is always a matter of choice, and it varies through time, for both societies as well as for individuals. Humans are primates, we are programmed by evolution for social behavior and living in small groups. But we have also organized ourselves repeatedly for larger communities that evolution could never have anticipated. At the same time, we are also individualistic and egoistic creatures, with a hierarchy of overlapping loyalties to ourselves, family, tribe, nation, etc. We voluntarily make adjustments and compromises for circumstances and our own benefit, and we debate and compromise and concede, and sometimes we fight.

If we disagree on religion, we may both suspect the other will be in trouble with the Almighty, but at least in our culture we do not feel it is a personal invasion into our space. But when we disagree on economic organization, then we fear the other is going to alter the very fabric of our existence. I'm sure you feel this way when you perceive someone is going to take away your property. So do I, by the way. Just because I'm a liberal doesn't mean I love paying taxes any more than you do. And what I feel I am entitled to receive from the community, and what I owe to it, also is something I give a lot of thought to, and which I must constantly negotiate with the community I belong to. It may not coincide with your feelings about it at all. Or then again, it may be very similar except in a few minor areas. Oddly enough, sometimes both those statements can be simultaneously true.

Where we draw that line will vary, from person to person, and in each person over time. But there is a line, and everyone feels he has drawn it legitimately for himself. If others don't agree, then comes debate and compromise, or perhaps conflict. But that line is drawn because someone thinks it should be there. And they usually feel very strongly about it. Not necessarily because they are stupid, or evil. Although sometimes, they may be either, or both.

So the next time you feel someone simply cannot comprehend the obvious, that they have clearly been misled, are villains, or are intellectually lazy, or dishonest, or motivated by either naked self-interest or foolish sentimentality; don't let on during the negotiations that you feel that way. Not only is it incredibly patronizing, but if you cannot conceal it it will make further discourse impossible, and conflict inevitable. And remember, they probably feel the same way about you.

Business is not a zero-sum game, but argument is. And any businessman knows that it is better to make a deal than to win a fight. It is certainly more profitable.