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%DICHOTOMOUS EITHER/OR GUILT/INNOCENCE JUDGMENTS 990716
People who think primarily in terms of dichotomies
approach questions of guilt/innocence in a different way
than do people who are more flexible in their ways of
thinking. Flexible people are willing to consider how
pervasive and/or intrusive some objectionable behavior has
been; and what the human consequences of it have been.
People who think in dichotomous terms are likely to insist
on posing either/or questions; and will often ask for
proof of innocence when there is room for doubt.
Dichotomous people are often motivated by fear, and
are prone to be suspicious of unfamiliar people. They are
reluctant to assume innocence in the absence of a formal
proof of guilt. When in doubt they play safe about
whether an unknown person is guilty; they assume guilt
when in doubt. They assume that the alleged improper
action was a serious improper action in the absence of
proof otherwise --- because the question is about who can
be trusted and who cannot be trusted. They feel the need
to classify people as dangerous enemies, or as fully loyal
friends.
Dichotomous thinking naturally leads to prejudicial
patterns of behavior which are alienative and
disintegrative. We need to be aware of dichotomous
patterns of thinking and to beware of people who often
engage in them. There are risks in trying to describe the
nature of dichotomous behavior. However, we are inhibited
if we are unwilling to suggest that some people's
behaviors are far more dichotomous than other people's
behaviors. Should we be forbidden to describe some people
as "dichotomous people". Is this an either/or question
which demands an either/or answer? People who are
"dichotomous" are likely to answer the question
differently than are people who are "not dichotomous".
People on opposite side of the issue have legitimate
points to make. It is not prudent to assent only to the
affirmations made by people on one side, or the other
side. There are, of course, "dichotomous" people who
will disagree with the previous statement. It will be
prudent to watch how people behave to see if their
behavior is consistent with what they say. Do they
demonstrate by their actions that they are worthy of our
trust?
(c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in
www.essayz.com Search for Integrity and Honesty
(On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)
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