Why do some people see the world in black and white/simplistic terms?

People on benefits should get a job.

People who are depressed should cheer up.

Some MPs fiddled expenses therefore all MPs are corrupt.

Some people who are sexually attracted to children become abusers therefore pedophiles are evil.

The Soviet Union was a failure, therefore socialism doesn't work.

Islamic fundamentalism is responsible for certian acts of terrorism, therefore Muslims are evil.

The BNP attract neo-nazi thugs therefore the BNP should be banned.

Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people therefore criticism of Israeli foreign policy is anti-semitic.

Brrrrrr, therefore global warming is a myth.

People who read the Guardian are Labour supporters.

Daily Mail readers are all immigrant hating racists.

Drugs can be harmful, therefore drugs should be illegal.

Saddam was a brutal dictator, therefore the Iraq war was justified.

Many people made it into work during the worst of the snow, therefore people who didn't should be sacked.

People who highlight US atrocities are anti-American or terrorist sympathisers.

People who suspect external influence over government policy or collusion among powerful private entities are nutty conspiracy theorists.

Green Party supporters are tree huggers.

Students are parasitic layabouts.

Immigrants get a free ride, steals all our jobs and rapes our women (ok that last accusation is rarely made but you get the idea...)

Can I just say, it's really not as simples as that

Because everybody needs somebody to hate to make themselves feel better about their own failings and give them that warm fuzzy feeling inside.

People who watch Jeremy Kyle are slack jawed yokels. See it does work sometimes!

Because everybody needs somebody to hate to make themselves feel better about their own failings and give them that warm fuzzy feeling inside.

Not sure about "needs to" but we are certainly mostly encouraged to feel like that, yes

Its nice and easy to simplify complex concepts- its hard work sometimes when you have to consider all the myriad of grey areas that lie beneath all ideas.

Your post sums up half of what the so called know its of this Forum think like. (Runs for cover )

Unfortunately some elements of the press advance many of the points in their editorials and commentary. It appeals to the need in some people for life to be simple and straightforward.

Some people can't deal with ambiguity.

Why do some people see the world in black and white/simplistic terms?

Because their understanding of the world is proportional to their IQ?

People on benefits should get a job.

 

People who are depressed should cheer up.

 

Some MPs fiddled expenses therefore all MPs are corrupt.

 

Some people who are sexually attracted to children become abusers therefore pedophiles are evil.

The Soviet Union was a failure, therefore socialism doesn't work.

 

Islamic fundamentalism is responsible for certian acts of terrorism, therefore Muslims are evil.

 

The BNP attract neo-nazi thugs therefore the BNP should be banned.

 

Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people therefore criticism of Israeli foreign policy is anti-semitic.

 

Brrrrrr, therefore global warming is a myth.

 

People who read the Guardian are Labour supporters.

 

Daily Mail readers are all immigrant hating racists.

 

Drugs can be harmful, therefore drugs should be illegal.

 

Saddam was a brutal dictator, therefore the Iraq war was justified.

 

Many people made it into work during the worst of the snow, therefore people who didn't should be sacked.

 

People who highlight US atrocities are anti-American or terrorist sympathisers.

 

People who suspect external influence over government policy or collusion among powerful private entities are nutty conspiracy theorists.

 

Green Party supporters are tree huggers.

 

Students are parasitic layabouts.

 

Immigrants get a free ride and steal all our jobs and rape our women (ok that last accusation is rarely made but you get the idea...)

 

Can I just say, it's really not as simples as that

Re the highlighted. All pedophiles ARE evil! Right ? Right?

Re the highlighted. All pedophiles ARE evil! Right ? Right?

I don't think they necessarily are, simply by the definition of pedophillia.

In other words, not all pedophiles physically act out their desires and abuse children.

That's why it's not cut and dry.