Civility requires the willingness to engage – a dispute with a neighbor revealed how much motivation matters

An ethicist's attempt to navigate a neighborly disagreement highlights the importance of motivation in fostering civility. Despite her expertise in handling disagreements, she found herself at a standstill when the neighbor refused to engage. This experience underscores that true civility often hinges on both parties' willingness to participate and communicate, revealing deeper issues in conflict resolution. It suggests that without mutual engagement, even well-intentioned efforts to resolve disputes can fall flat, emphasizing the need for proactive participation in maintaining social harmony.