Danger from fallacy of hasty generalization

We are likely to be trapped in the fallacy of hasty generalization in our daily lives, sometimes causing catastrophes. If this fallacy is aggravated by vicious terrorists or religious extremists, it can provoke indiscriminate retaliation collective as hate crimes and vandalism.

Islamic fury over the film “Innocence of Muslims” is spreading quickly, targeting symbols of U.S. influence ranging from embassies to McDonald’s. In the run up to the U.S. presidential election in November, this chaotic situation occurring mostly in poverty-stricken countries must concern the presidential candidates as well as American citizens.

According to a report, an alleged religious extremist purposely made the obscene film to humiliate Islam, which runs counter to the spirit of the U.S. Constitution. But, sadly, people in Islamic countries are not only blaming the producer but all U.S. citizens, burning American flags, vandalizing U.S. embassies, and killing innocent people. Here, to Islamic people, American paranoia is mistakenly generalized as representative of all Americans.

We can find similar cases tainting the good image of the U.S. A few years ago, a horrific video clip of several ill-disciplined American soldiers abusing bodies of Taliban captives was seen on YouTube, which triggered hate crimes against U.S. citizens. Another case, a picture of a preacher burning the Koran in public incited strong antagonism against America

Why are these ridiculous things happening? Why are a few irrational people disturbing international peace, whereby those living in the targeted countries harbor antagonistic sentiment against the U.S. and the vast majority of innocent citizens there? This shows how negatively our civilization could be affected by the malicious behavior of a few mindless people acting under the fallacy of a hasty generalization.

We can encounter another risk of hasty generalization concerning the patent lawsuit in the United States between technology giants Apple and Samsung Electronics. A jury ruled against Samsung, allegedly to take the side of Apple.

Hearing this, I feel cross at the U.S. mindset, considered overly biased in favor of Apple. I also feel a sense of insult that many Muslims might feel at the film disparaging their religion. If Samsung was based in China or Russia, would an American jury deliver a verdict against Samsung in the same way?

Do they think that it’s okay to disregard justice in favor of their country’s interests? I unwittingly equate the sentiments of some Islamic people with my sentiment over the prejudiced lawsuit against Samsung. While indulged in this stream of my own thoughts, am I also trapped in the fallacy of hasty generalization?

I cannot help thinking whether those judges are also mired in the fallacy of generalization just like the paranoia of some insulted Islamic people that U.S. citizens are superior to others, that their ruling is righteous without noticing that their hasty judgment could cause overwhelming ripple effects.

Inconsiderate deeds coming from hasty generalizations must be humiliating to those affected. Moreover, if their thoughtless behavior impairs the inalienable pride of a nation or religion, it may well cause antagonism, thereby harboring hate crime, further conducting collective behavior such as protests or a boycott of products made in a certain country.

In this regard, I feel that the verdict concerning the patent lawsuit should be more transparently ruled in a far-sighted point of view before it is too late.

The writer is an English teacher at Gimhae Girls’ High School in South Gyeongsang Province. His email address is eungtae@gmail.com. <The Korea Times/Lee Eung-tae>

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