What might cause different points of view 

Everyone sees the world differently. Our perspective or point of view is shaped by several key factors:

• Knowledge and experience: Our education, skills, and life experiences affect how we understand things.
• Personal interests: What we think about daily shapes our views. For example, a business owner may focus on profit, while an employee values fair pay and job security.
• Beliefs and values: These guide our sense of right and wrong. They may be religious, cultural, or personal principles about how people should behave.
• Assumptions: We all hold unconscious beliefs about the world, such as views on time, human nature, or life after death.

Because of these layers, no two people see the world in exactly the same way.

Why it is helpful to understand where points of view come from

When people share their opinions, they often express only the surface level - what they know and have experienced. This is easier to explain and less likely to be challenged.

It’s harder to discuss personal interests because people want to appear objective, rather than self-serving. Beliefs and values are even more sensitive, as they can highlight deep differences. Underlying assumptions are rarely discussed because people may not even be aware of them.

This means that when someone shares a perspective, we might only be hearing a small part of what truly shapes their opinion. Understanding this can help us listen more openly and respectfully. It also means that we can unpick what is really driving someone’s perspective and help us to think differently about something.

How to analyse where differences in points of view come from 

We often don’t fully understand where our own views come from, let alone someone else’s. Since we only ever have partial information about others, we should be careful when interpreting their perspective.

To better understand different viewpoints, consider these questions:

• What other reasons might someone have for their opinion?
• What knowledge, skills, or experiences shape their view?
• How does this issue affect them personally?
• Could their beliefs or values influence their stance?

Asking these questions helps us see beyond the surface and gain a deeper, more balanced understanding of different perspectives.