This article recounts a real-life conversation relating to beliefs, opinions, and attitudes. It asserts the country's democracy needs intellectual debate, but increasingly lacks the inclination and skills to have it. Like students within their homogeneous peer groups, American citizens increasingly inhabit intellectually gated communities.…

Youthful idealism like that found among college students is seen as an important part of the developmental process and also as an opportunity for college teachers to learn about how today's students view the world and to explore the connection between intellect and experience. (MSE)