how does William I Thomas' theorem apply to discussions of race and ethnocentrism?

Answer 1

A theorem in science is something that is proved from fundamentals. WIT's sociological "theorem" is not really a theorem, more like an axiom. It is that:

If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences

Example: If I believe that poor people are dangerous, then I might be led to attack a poor person who comes near me. The consequence is strife, which is real, even though the belief that led to the strife is totally incorrect.

The theorem is important because it helps us recognize that we can avoid bad consequences simply by altering our beliefs in an appropriate way. If I stop believing that poor people are dangerous, then I won't attack them, so there will be less strife.

If I believe that arabs are dangerous, [define reality as arabs=danger] I might attack one that comes near, even if he or she was simply wanting to ask the time. After a while, the arabs will be browned off, and hit back [real consequence].

If I stop believing arabs are dangerous [alternative choice of perceived reality], I won't attack them, so they won't hit back, so the world will be a safer place [alternative consequence].

So, the world becomes what you believe it to be. You will find that this principle was used by wise people all down the ages, eg Jesus, Buddha, Ghandi, ...

Answer 2

Ah! Now that an answerer has kindly supplied the theorem (why didn't you? that would have enabled people to answer you), I can chime in.

Besides the sort of phenomena the other answerer gave (a bit strained, but the basic idea of self-fulfilling prophecy sounds right), here's another effect.

Prejudiced people see things that support their prejudices, and often fail to see things that don't.

So, if I think a certain race are loud, I will notice ever instance of those people being loud, and won't notice those who aren't.

If you say that a given race is dumb, you won't educate them, and they will be ignorant (which often looks like dumb).

Spend some time on this site, and you'll see how these things work. People begin with an assumption about other people, then make all reality bend to their pre-conceptions.

Answer 3

Thomas Theorem