It’s difficult to argue with those who talk like everything is black and white. Such primitive intellects deal in absolutes as if all is settled and unchanging. Answers are found by adopting a kind of binary thinking - on or off, right or wrong, it either is or it isn’t. You believe as you do then stick with it.

I am so contemptuous of that way of thinking now that I have become a relativist, an extreme one at that, to the point of absolute. I am even reluctant now to think of expressions like right and wrong or good and bad as useful to any meaningful discourse.

I understand binary thinking has its function though. It’s easier to coerce if simplistic concepts of black and white are put forward as truths to be followed. Governments and moral authorities have always done this. But cases made in such a way are not very sound intellectually. They are made merely for the purpose of getting people to do as is required.

Still, what can be said for binary is that it might be a better call to action than a relativistic view. Those who believe in absolutes, educated or not, are more likely to be driven by their belief and therefore more likely to get things done. Sometimes too much thinking can inhibit action (‘paralysis of analysis’).

Given the complexity inherent in virtually every area of life should we go forward thoughtfully and carefully when making a case or taking an initiative or should we take the binary approach for the sake of decisive action? Sometimes one, sometimes the other.