Inferences and Judgments

I found it interesting that Hayakawa stresses the positive side of inferences, and doesn't mention the negative. I think we have all read a book or seen a corny movie in which a character draws an incorrect inference creating a conflict between characters. This doesn't just happen in movies. For example, from one mean word we may infer someone is mean, when really she just had a bad day, and we lose out on a friend. That's not a great example, but things similar to that happen. While I think what Hayakawa says about inferences is their more common and important use, they also have a negative side.

Hayakawa mentions the result of judgments on individuals, but I think they also permeate society. A judgment has to start with either one person, or one small group and then gossip carries it to everyone else. People easily accept judgments the same way they accept reports. These judgments usually aren't good, and a lot of time are prejudices against another group. Because judgments stop thought, the prejudices are very hard to get rid of. Once formed, the majority will only see evidence to support the prejudice, with only a select few who can look beyond it. Judgments, especially ones we feel passionate about, spread easily from person to person, and even generation to generation. Children easily accept the prejudices of their parents and never look to correct them, accepting the prejudice as fact. Prejudice is very bad for society. It leads to oppression, violence, and general ignorance. By being aware of judgments as we hear them, and recognizing judgments for what they are and not as facts, we can stop prejudices from forming or spreading. However, getting the majority to do this is incredibly difficult. Anyway, so those were my thoughts on judgments.

~ Becca LaRosa