why don't people react violently when a good generalization is made unlike a bad one?

Question

I mean all generalizations are equally wrong and unjustified because after all its like being ignorant and considering a group as a person instead of looking at individual qualtilies. What do you say?

Answer 1

Excellent question, and I agree that generalizations are intrinsically faulty. However, for whatever reason, humans tend to organize things into patterns and groups almost intuitively. Science is still studying how and why this occurs, but apparently humans invariably seek (and find) patterns, even with only two examples are presented...

For me - I admit that I hate humans as a species. I also invariably like everyone I meet - so I apparently like every individual who makes up the species I hate and despise.

Despise the group, love the individuals who make up that group... go figure.

As for 'good' generalizations - we seem, as a species, to prefer to look at the bad rather than the good. Why? I don't know, perhaps its the disaster thing - bad things seems to attract peoples' attention much more than positive events...

Anyway - great question - will be interesting to see the responses.

-dh

Answer 2

thats a good question.i think that thers just a lot of negative people out there who tend to always point out the bad in things and other people. i admit that i do it sometimes. for example i cant stand alot of preppy people, or snobby girls, i dont get along with em too well, so when i meet someone like that im not necessairly excited. otherwise im usually good at not judging. well i try hard not too.

Answer 3

I have never seen anyone become violent due to a generalization. Perhaps you should hang around more peaceful people.

Answer 4

If all generalizations are bad then no one should react violently. they do it because they are ignorant and angry.

Answer 5

Sometimes, a generalization is descriptive enough.

Answer 6

people don't mind being tarred
w/honey

Answer 7

agreed