We can usually learn much more from people whose views we share than from people whose views contradict our own; disagreement can cause stress and inhibit learning.
OR
We can normally learn more from like-minded persons than from those who have contradictory viewpoints; conflict can prevent learning and lead to tension.
It is true that sometimes a discussion on a topic with a person having a viewpoint contradictory to ours can lead to conflict, hence, preventing learning by leading to tension. But, if we keep ourselves open to new suggestions and viewpoints, not exhibiting intransigence, we can actually learn as much (or maybe, more) from that person as from a like-minded person.
Like-minded people, while discussing in a friendly manner, can work together to gain further knowledge on the matter of concern. It is a great opportunity to gain further knowledge by working together towards the same goal with no conflicting ideas serving as hindrances on the way. It is also true that when two opposite-minded people discuss a point, they might start trying to impose their own views onto the other person, thus, resulting in conflict. And this might lead them to get stuck on the same place they were, not allowing them to move on towards gaining further knowledge, as they will be too busy trying to prove each other wrong.
But, if that discussion is taken in a healthy manner, people having two contradictory views can explain each of their points of view and together, amicably reach a conclusion by having a healthy debate. After all, it is always stimulating to discuss a point when the other person helps you to broaden your perspective by showing you the other side of the coin. A person who contradicts our ideas can make us turn around and go through them again. Therefore, such a person can actually help us to make sure that our ideas and the methods of performing the intended actions are reasonable and sound.
When a certain political party or business organization decides to take a step, the first step towards putting the idea into action is to discuss the idea with the both the like-minded members as well as those who would have some contradictory opinions and would question it. In this way, while a lot of useful suggestions are given, the credibility of the idea is also confirmed.
Thus, we can learn as much from people with contradictory viewpoints as we could from like-minded ones if we keep ourselves open to analyzing the other side of the coin.
