I found the use of false dilemmas useful. The concept talks about using the word “or” when really there are more than those outcomes. It’s like giving people the choice of chocolate or vanilla, when really they could get strawberry as an alternative. To me, the concept is like telling the truth, but not the whole truth.
Recently I was told that I either had to choose between commuting to my old gym in South San Francisco or quitting to find a gym closer to my new home. When I finally made up my mind that I would quit, I called and was told that there was actually another branch of the gym in San Jose! I was a little peeved that the first person I talked to about quitting didn’t inform me of this option and made me think that there were only two choices. The situation was so misleading and it really posed a false dilemma for me. In the end it wasn’t a real problem at all!
I agree with you that the false dilemmas are useful. I don't think many of us realize that there is such a thing! I realize that when people get into a dilemma, we don't really stop and think through the situation clearly. I love your gym example! It is a great example because you explained that the first person who informed didn't tell you any other options so that made you think there was a problem when there wasn't any! I am glad that things worked out for you :) hope you have fun at the gym!
ReplyDeleteFalse dilemmas happen right underneath our fingertips without us even realizing it at times. I also agree that false dilemmas are helpful and useful. It is especially nice to be able to detect when we experience or see a false dilemma occuring.
ReplyDeleteYour reference on having people given the choice of either chocolate or vanilla and not thinking twice of strawberry being the alternative caught my attention right away. I really liked that example as well your gym example. The same sort of deal(when there was another possibility however no one at the time seemed to mention it) has happened to me, quite often actually. It is good to be aware of false dilemmas especially since it can affect your daily routine.
I liked the concept you chose! It is so very true that it is pretty much like telling the truth, but not the whole truth. You obviously experienced it firsthand that it is extremely common in business to use the false dilemma as an outlet for upselling certain products or services. I’m in advertising and agencies use that a lot to get you thinking about just the featured premises. And I also work as a server at a restaurant called Texas Roadhouse, and we’re kind of like salespeople for food... It’s kind of like when I offer drinks and say “Can I get you a coke or lemonade?” as opposed to the water alternative... That one’s free. But I’m trying to get an extra 2.39 on the tab, haha
ReplyDeleteyeah, i enjoyed the concept you chose because it is something that happens daily in our lives without us knowing. we make up these situations where we beleive there are only two choices we can choose from not realizing there are other stuff we can choose from. its like those are the only two options that we are forced to take, but if we acknowledge the whole situation we can realize that there might even be a third option that we did not notice before.
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