American Politics And The False Dilemma Fallacy
A false dilemma is a logical fallacy, in which only two choices are presented in a situation. For example, a fundamentalist christian might believe that atheists are inherently immoral, because the only option other than accepting his religion, is to be an awful person. This is a false dilemma, because the fundamentalist doesn't believe people can exist outside of that dichotomy.
When it comes to American politics, many understand them as a binary, with democrats on one side, and republicans on the other. Instead of understanding that these are simply two political parties, with somewhat specific goals and platforms, a lot of people believe them to be the two ends of the spectrum, unaware that ideologies exist between them, and outside of them. Naturally, the people who have this very basic understanding of politics, limit themselves in forming individual opinions on issues. Not only do they choose a side, as if it were a competitive sport, but they adhere, almost entirely, to the agenda of their respective side.
The tragedy of a common person's strict adherence to their political party's platform, is that any proposed policy, no matter how dictatorial or cruel it may be, will be accepted as the answer. The problem isn't approached from a moral standpoint, because the party is automatically seen as having the correct position, while anyone who disagrees is wrong. This is why politicians use logical fallacies in their rhetoric, not as a mistake, but as a tool.
One of the most destructive results of this divide and conquer tactic, is the mislabeling of ideologies or groups. Here's a common scenario: A citizen has decided to take sides with the republican party, so the politicians on his side are competing with the democratic party for power. Since this person has developed an either/or mindset, literally any idea that challenges his platform is believed to belong to one side, which, of course, is the democratic party. This is where the danger comes in. An actual extremist, such a communist, who protests a republican policy, political event, or speech will be assumed to be a democrat. This person has now concluded that a standard liberal, or possibly centrist, democrat is on said extremist's side, rather than being completely separate. Now there's a false justification for violence against the liberal.
Such thinking has created more chaos than some may realize. The masses will mobilize against movements they have no knowledge of. That doesn't matter though. Some people see a tribe that isn't theirs and feel the urge to attack. You're either with them, or you're the enemy.
Politicians have convinced a significant portion of the population that they have the answers. If only we could disregard their power struggle, we could examine our own feelings on a political or social issue. We don't need to be so involved in the argument taking place in the two-party system. We can look internally and use our own moral compasses. Instead, we choose to believe that one of their answers is correct. You can realize that those in the white house don't represent everyone, and their rhetoric doesn't present all of the possibilities, or you can decide where you stand based on the false dillemas they give you. It's your choice.
When it comes to American politics, many understand them as a binary, with democrats on one side, and republicans on the other. Instead of understanding that these are simply two political parties, with somewhat specific goals and platforms, a lot of people believe them to be the two ends of the spectrum, unaware that ideologies exist between them, and outside of them. Naturally, the people who have this very basic understanding of politics, limit themselves in forming individual opinions on issues. Not only do they choose a side, as if it were a competitive sport, but they adhere, almost entirely, to the agenda of their respective side.
The tragedy of a common person's strict adherence to their political party's platform, is that any proposed policy, no matter how dictatorial or cruel it may be, will be accepted as the answer. The problem isn't approached from a moral standpoint, because the party is automatically seen as having the correct position, while anyone who disagrees is wrong. This is why politicians use logical fallacies in their rhetoric, not as a mistake, but as a tool.
One of the most destructive results of this divide and conquer tactic, is the mislabeling of ideologies or groups. Here's a common scenario: A citizen has decided to take sides with the republican party, so the politicians on his side are competing with the democratic party for power. Since this person has developed an either/or mindset, literally any idea that challenges his platform is believed to belong to one side, which, of course, is the democratic party. This is where the danger comes in. An actual extremist, such a communist, who protests a republican policy, political event, or speech will be assumed to be a democrat. This person has now concluded that a standard liberal, or possibly centrist, democrat is on said extremist's side, rather than being completely separate. Now there's a false justification for violence against the liberal.
Such thinking has created more chaos than some may realize. The masses will mobilize against movements they have no knowledge of. That doesn't matter though. Some people see a tribe that isn't theirs and feel the urge to attack. You're either with them, or you're the enemy.
Politicians have convinced a significant portion of the population that they have the answers. If only we could disregard their power struggle, we could examine our own feelings on a political or social issue. We don't need to be so involved in the argument taking place in the two-party system. We can look internally and use our own moral compasses. Instead, we choose to believe that one of their answers is correct. You can realize that those in the white house don't represent everyone, and their rhetoric doesn't present all of the possibilities, or you can decide where you stand based on the false dillemas they give you. It's your choice.
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