Other people being wrong presents you with choices. You can engage, or not. If you engage, you could disagree, or not. If you disagree, you could argue and potentially damage the relationship—or not.

… an unheard-of option is to engage someone who you believe is wrong but not disagree with him. It may seem strange or even impossible that you could do this, especially if you find his belief offensive or repugnant. How could this be accomplished? You can let him be wrong.

One of the most malignant aspects of our culture is that it’s considered a virtue to “call out,” or correct, views with which we disagree. But this is usually the worst option, especially if you want to change someone’s mind or develop a friendship.

Maybe your goal isn’t to change anyone’s mind. It doesn’t have to be. Our lives improve by increasing the number of positive, healthy relationships we have. Letting friends be wrong is an antidote to loneliness, an opportunity to benefit from a diversity of thoughts, and a way to deepen and strengthen our friendships. The way forward in many cases is simply to let people be wrong.