Many Singaporeans may not be aware of the differences between the three types of situations described below:
1. Making a general statement
If I say, "Many Singaporeans have a negative mindset. They look at what is wrong, rather than what is right". This is a general statement, and is not targeted at any specific person. It does not imply that all Singaporeans behave in this manner; it recognized that some Singaporeans are different, i.e. have a positive mindset.
2. Making a judgment
One makes a judgement when it is targeted at a specific person or a specific issue. I avoid making judgment, as I do not have the relevant facts and it would be presumptuous to make a judgment without being invited. If I am invited to make a judgment, I would like to talk to the relevant parties and hear them out, before arriving at a judgment. This is called "natural justice".
3. Making a personal attack
This goes beyond making a judgment of a person. It is a direct attack of a person and have a negative connotation on that person's character or reputation. It can be defamatory and have resulted in legal warnings or actions being taken by political leaders.
Because these people cannot tell the difference between the three situations, they may feel offended at a general statement (believing that they are the target of the statement) and will freely make judgment of other people (in inappropriate situations) and even make personal attacks. They take these actions under the safety of anonymity. They do not even realize that these are cowardly and despicable actions.
To avoid these negative behavior, it is best that a person should give his or her views with the actual name, and be held accountable for the views. When they ask our political leaders to be transparent and accountable, they should set the same example to be accountable for their views.
I hope that this general statement is not offensive, and that my readers will accept it in the right spirit of frankness.
Tan Kin Lian
1. Making a general statement
If I say, "Many Singaporeans have a negative mindset. They look at what is wrong, rather than what is right". This is a general statement, and is not targeted at any specific person. It does not imply that all Singaporeans behave in this manner; it recognized that some Singaporeans are different, i.e. have a positive mindset.
2. Making a judgment
One makes a judgement when it is targeted at a specific person or a specific issue. I avoid making judgment, as I do not have the relevant facts and it would be presumptuous to make a judgment without being invited. If I am invited to make a judgment, I would like to talk to the relevant parties and hear them out, before arriving at a judgment. This is called "natural justice".
3. Making a personal attack
This goes beyond making a judgment of a person. It is a direct attack of a person and have a negative connotation on that person's character or reputation. It can be defamatory and have resulted in legal warnings or actions being taken by political leaders.
Because these people cannot tell the difference between the three situations, they may feel offended at a general statement (believing that they are the target of the statement) and will freely make judgment of other people (in inappropriate situations) and even make personal attacks. They take these actions under the safety of anonymity. They do not even realize that these are cowardly and despicable actions.
To avoid these negative behavior, it is best that a person should give his or her views with the actual name, and be held accountable for the views. When they ask our political leaders to be transparent and accountable, they should set the same example to be accountable for their views.
I hope that this general statement is not offensive, and that my readers will accept it in the right spirit of frankness.
Tan Kin Lian
19 comments:
Until now you still do not know why you terribly lost the presidential election?
In short, one must always talk and behave like a Gentleman. Less problems and troubles in the long run.
If a named public figure (specific person) is alleged to have extra marital affairs (specific issue) and he remains silent about it when asked, and people said that being silent on such matters is not the right way (judgement), so is this making a judgement or a general statement?
Because such judgement can also be applied in general (general statement?) to others in similar situation too.
9:16 am. Your comment is personal and is inappropriate and unnecessary. I do not know if you had intended to be mischievous. Why don't you give your actual name?
10:03 am. It is making a judgment as it is directed against a specific person and event. To make a judgment about the specific person, one needs to hear his side of the story. He may have a good reason to avoid addressing the allegation.
I have commented in following blog post:
http://singaporealternatives.blogspot.com/2012/02/wp-may-split-if.html
http://piaroh.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/go-dutch/
http://leesjuanpatworld.blogspot.com/2012/02/why-this-by-election-in-hougang-is.html
Mr Tan KL, I need your advice whether my comments fall into which categories. Don't need to explain, I will figure it our myself based on your perspective.
Thanks in advance.
market2garden
So what if a person is able to differentiate between a general statement, a judgment or a personal attack?
In the social media, these are articulated all the time. Besides, general statements (as expressed by one) may be construed as judgments or worst still, as personal attacks by others. For example, "Many Singaporeans have a negative mindset. They look at what is wrong, rather than what is right" sounds more like a judgmental statement to me. It also depends on the context when it is expressed. But whatever the case may be, the most important is one's underlying motive, intention and attitude. Most of all, one needs to be kind, gentle and forgiving in the social media environment.
Goh L S. It is all right for you to have your opinion. I do not wish to debate with you. But I agree that the context on which a statement is expressed is the key factor.
Why the writer use the word "many" people? It means most of the people except the writer himself or herself.
Why is the writer so sure "many" people are that or like this.
I think most statements are judgmental unless supported by facts/statistics/studies. Using "Many xxxx" may mean just 10% of the population. It is different from using "Most xxxx".
Of course personal attack is about making allegations about a person's motive/character without supporting facts.(though not sure about questioning his motives. I guess its situational, for the lawyers to argue and for the court to decide)
@10:35 pm. I agree with you that most statements are judgmental. There is a difference between passing a judgement on a person or an issue, or making a general statement that is not directed at any specific person.
This is the difference that some (perhaps many) Singaporeans are not aware of.
@8:40 pm. I use "many" based on my interaction with many people in my blog and in real life. Those that fall outside "many" include more than "myself".
Your type of logic is also shared by "many" Singaporeans - i.e. if something is not white, it must be black. There are gray and other colors besides black and white.
Referring to Mr Tan KL's reply @7:10 & 7:14 AM
I fully agree with you. I hypothesize the reasons are:
1. having a high ego.
2. being resistant to change (cognitive dissonance/vested interest/fear/apathy)
By the way appreciate your efforts in making a better society to live in.
It is somewhat futile (Note: This is not a personal attack. If anyone feels that it is, please accept my apology) to have a classification of three types of expressions, namely: (1) general statement, (2) judgment and (3) personal attack; when it is difficult to even agree whether an expression is one or the other (yes, this is a judgment statement) such as the example of "Many Singaporeans have a negative mindset. They look at what is wrong, rather than what is right".
Mr Tan, can you enlighten us the purpose of your classification?
I am still of the view that what is most critical in the social media environment is that: one should be very magnanimous, not oversensitive, forgiving, open and 'always gives others the benefit of doubt'. 'Personal attack' is definitely out. So is fingerpointing.
Goh L. S.
@ 12:51 pm.
Sorry, I am not able to engage in a discussion with you in this blog. If you like to visit my office, we can have a chat. Send email to kinlian@gmail.com.
But, I do agree with the views that you have expressed - in general.
@21 Jan 9:16 am. I don't think that you know the answer either, although you think that you are "smart" in making your kind of statement.
The expression: "Until now you still do not know why you terribly lost the presidential election?", though it is phrased as a question, sounds like a judgmental expression or even a personal attack of sorts at Mr Tan if you know the history behind the Presidential Election in August 2011.
By itself, it appears to be a harmless question, just like a general statement. But with the context of an earlier event, the element of judgment is relatively strong.
rex comments as follows,
i do not understand why the blog owner has a phobia for judgemental statements.
many of his statements are clearly judgemental, and there is nothing wrong per se. We judge all the time.
for example, if you speak to a person and say "i can understand why you are like that, it's because of the education system".
It is incorrect to say that this statement is "general" and not directed at somebody. Because it is applied as part of a dialog with another person, the above statement is firstly judgemenal, and secondly borders on a personal attack.
Personal attack need not be :you fool: Personal attack can be disguised as a general statement. Sarcasm is another deviant form of personal attack.
Yes there is black white and grey.
Some general statements are actually shrouded in form but in substance they are judgemental and personal in nature when applied in dialog.
Now consider this statement "Presidential candidates should have wisdom".
Mr Tan, is that a personal attack or a general statement? I can say it is a "general statement". but when i speak to you Mr Tan specifically, IT IS A PERSONAL attack. Your black and white rendering of personal attack and general statement as in your article, does not impress me.
rex
Rex, I do not agree with your statement(s) but I do not wish to engage in a debate with you.
If you want to know about "phobia", try writing a blog and have people attacking your views anonymously.
If they do not agree with my views, they can go away, without making personal attacks and insults.
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