You're both right and wrong

The problem with binary thinking and how to see the spectrum

Photo by Maxime Gilbert on Unsplash

The Light Side vs. the Dark Side of the Force in Star Wars. The rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin houses in Harry Potter.

Pop culture is full of stories of good versus evil, of a struggle between two opposite sides. 

Religion (yin and yang), politics (left vs. right), and sports (Yankees vs. Red Sox) are also involved, with a constant battle between us and them.

One would think this is a black-and-white world, but the truth is that it is an infinite scale of grays.

This is the binary thinking fallacy, which simplifies complex issues into two opposing perspectives or choices. 

Why do people fall so easily into binary thinking?

Let’s think about children.

Children are more prone to binary thinking for several reasons. Their brains are still developing, especially the parts responsible for complex reasoning. They have limited life experiences to draw from, making it harder to see gray areas. Their moral reasoning is still forming, so they see things as right or wrong with little middle ground. Children usually develop more nuanced thinking skills as they grow and learn, but this takes time and exposure to diverse ideas and situations.

I would say that adults with binary thinking lack some of the experiences and perspectives that children lack, plus they add a few aggravating factors along the way, like:

• Their brains take shortcuts that can lead to oversimplified views.

• Some people prefer clear-cut answers and dislike ambiguity.

• Strong feelings can make them see things as all good or all bad.

• Less education or training in critical thinking can limit nuanced understanding.

• Some environments encourage black-and-white views on certain topics.

• Stress or time pressure can push them towards simpler thinking.

Interestingly, people might think in binary terms about some things but not others. For example, someone might have nuanced views about their job but think in black-and-white terms about politics. This difference can be due to:

• Knowledge: We tend to see more complexity in areas we know well.

• Emotional connection: Topics we care deeply about might trigger more extreme views.

• Context: Our thinking can change based on where or who we're with.

• Personal values: Core beliefs might lead to more rigid thinking in some areas.

When it comes to AI, binary thinking can lead to oversimplified views on complex issues. For example, people may perceive AI as inherently good or bad, view it as either a panacea or an existential threat, and adopt extreme positions on regulation and privacy concerns.

To find real solutions, we must apply non-binary thinking to AI issues. Let’s examine two concrete scenarios to see how this might play out and some thinking frameworks to avoid binary thinking.