Black and White Thinking.
Black and white thinking is a thought-error, which falsely creates a binary choice in situations that are not binary.
For example: You are asked to decide between:
- Black or white.
- A or B.
- With us or against us.
- Right or wrong.
- Truth or lie.
- Innocent or guilty
Black and white thinking is an error because it is an oversimplification.
This type of thinking can be dangerous because, most real-life situations are very complex; they contain many elements. You need to carefully consider many options before you can arrive at a correct decision. The "black and white thinking tool" is often too blunt for that job.
Using "black and white thinking" is like a brain surgeon trying to perform a delicate surgery using a hammer. It never works out well.
Black and white thinking is attractive because it is similar to another concept that is absolutely essential to clear thinking and correct decision making. That concept is called The Law of Identity.
The Law of Identity states that facts are facts, or (A is A).
It is important to understand the difference between:
- black and white thinking, which is wrong, and
- the law of identity, which is right.
"Law of Identity" thinking restates the above list of binary choices to read as follows:
- "A or B" becomes, A or NON-A?
- Right or wrong, becomes, right or NOT right?
- North or south, becomes north or NOT north?
- Guilty or innocent becomes, guilty or NOT guilty.
The Law of Identity looks superficially similar to black and white thinking, but it is important that you spot the difference:
- "You must either be facing NORTH or you are not facing north". Is a correct statement.
- "You must be facing NORTH or facing south". Is not a correct statement - black and white thinking.
You need to check whether the situation you are examining is one where there are multiple possible options and by reducing them to only two, would be an oversimplification.
If you apply a "binary choice" in situations that are NOT binary, then you fall foul of the error of oversimplification (black and white thinking).
Recognise that there are many situations that ARE binary choices.
For example: Launching a rocket is a binary decision. You cannot half-launch a Saturn V space rocket. You either launch it, 100% or not at all.
Equally, you cannot be half pregnant.
These are binary options, because you;
- Are pregnant or not,
- Have launched the Saturn V or not.
- Have passed the exam or not.
- Said it or not.
- Did it or not.
Summary
Black and white thinking falsely creates a binary choice, in situations that are not binary.
- Don't use black and white thinking.
- Do use "law of identity" thinking, (A = A).
Why? Because, facts are facts.
Black and white thinking
Black and white thinking is a mistake in thought seen in decision making. It offers only two opposite answers, turns rich issues into a yes-or-no, blocks facts that sit between the extremes, and appears when haste or bias pushes out clear analysis. Remove any one of these signs and the label no longer fits.
CG4D Definition
Context: Decision making
Genus: Thinking error
- Forces a person to choose between two extreme options
- Treats complex issues as simple yes-or-no questions
- Ignores facts and shades that lie between the two extremes
- Arises when haste or bias replaces calm, careful analysis
Article Summary
Black and white thinking squeezes complex life into a false either-or, so use the Law of Identity instead: ask if a claim is or is not, weigh each fact, and your choices grow clearer and fairer.