Everyday we determine many things through a principle of majority. In school, company, even in the government the majority often get a beat on the minority. Most people think it's right and they usually follow it without dissent. Furthermore, in a field of art, some artists only follow the trend to make the public like their arts, so sometimes they ignore the value which art itself should have. Also there are always trends among students in many countries. However, we usually overlook a fallacy that idea of the majority make and problems caused when we just follow trends which are created by the majority. We have learned the importance of our identity and individuality, and insisting our opinion strongly respecting others, and keeping our own pace. In fact, although most people have learned those things, they take it for granted that we should always follow the majority and they must be right. On the other hand, we have to realize that they are not always correct. I think we should not always follow majority opinion.
2014년 9월 22일 월요일
2014년 9월 9일 화요일
The Classical Argument Outline
1. The introduction
I will start asking to readers if they have ever experienced principle of majority rule in a society or a class. And then I will talk about today's state, where many singers only appeal their sexuality and appearance and students are busy with chasing trends. Then I want to remind people that it's because we follow the majority, and I will ask them if it is right.
2. The narration
I will summarize what the majority means and lots of problems due to following the majority. For example, in terms of entertainment such as music or movies, students and schools, society, I will summarize present state. Also, I will introduce a conflict between geocentric and heliocentric theory, and the truth so I could explain the motive I produce the argument.
3. The confirmation
I will talk about some examples and reasons that can support my opinion, that we should not always follow majority opinion. In three aspects - popularity in entertainment, students, examples from the past to today - , I will demonstrate why we should not always follow majority opinion. I'll show some side effects in those fields. For instance, sexuality and appearace are regarded so important that quality no longer has value. Moreover, trends among students make them unified and all the same without individuality, and there are a lot of examples that the majority was wrong throughout the history.
4. The refutation and concession
Some people say that majority opinion is better than minority opinion, and it is called 'democracy'. However, that principle only applies when the minority all agree. I will use some examples and assert my opinion strongly to the opposite which claims democracy. Also some people might say following trends is only way not to be isolated, and not to be forgotten. But people actually don't judge people with their clothes and even if someone did, he or she isn't ready to make a friend. I will add some logical reasons why I claim 'identity' and 'individuality'.
5. The summation
I will talk about again how many problems occur because of following the majority and emphasize how much the argument is important. I will provide a solution in a situation of discussion or controversy. I will especially stress a state of korean music and students, and assert my argument. I will close with advicing readers to think carefully when they make a decision.
I will start asking to readers if they have ever experienced principle of majority rule in a society or a class. And then I will talk about today's state, where many singers only appeal their sexuality and appearance and students are busy with chasing trends. Then I want to remind people that it's because we follow the majority, and I will ask them if it is right.
2. The narration
I will summarize what the majority means and lots of problems due to following the majority. For example, in terms of entertainment such as music or movies, students and schools, society, I will summarize present state. Also, I will introduce a conflict between geocentric and heliocentric theory, and the truth so I could explain the motive I produce the argument.
3. The confirmation
I will talk about some examples and reasons that can support my opinion, that we should not always follow majority opinion. In three aspects - popularity in entertainment, students, examples from the past to today - , I will demonstrate why we should not always follow majority opinion. I'll show some side effects in those fields. For instance, sexuality and appearace are regarded so important that quality no longer has value. Moreover, trends among students make them unified and all the same without individuality, and there are a lot of examples that the majority was wrong throughout the history.
4. The refutation and concession
Some people say that majority opinion is better than minority opinion, and it is called 'democracy'. However, that principle only applies when the minority all agree. I will use some examples and assert my opinion strongly to the opposite which claims democracy. Also some people might say following trends is only way not to be isolated, and not to be forgotten. But people actually don't judge people with their clothes and even if someone did, he or she isn't ready to make a friend. I will add some logical reasons why I claim 'identity' and 'individuality'.
5. The summation
I will talk about again how many problems occur because of following the majority and emphasize how much the argument is important. I will provide a solution in a situation of discussion or controversy. I will especially stress a state of korean music and students, and assert my argument. I will close with advicing readers to think carefully when they make a decision.
Articulation
1) My argument
I want to argue that we should not always follow majority opinion. Many people follow majority opinion in society, in school, and even in a family. However, this could have problems extended to media, art, students' identity, and scientific experiments. I want to show some examples and reasons to support my opinion that the majority is not always right so we should not follow them all the time.
2) How I found my argument
My first research question was, is there any reason people follow majority opinion? Then I found an example of a person's experience saying the majority is not always true, and a reason people follow the majority is because 'groupthink'. It's kind of psychology, and I realize people don't want to make a conflict with others so don't occur alternative ideas. This article helped to know about what 'groupthink' means and why the groupthink has some problems. As I continued researching, it seemed there should be an example when the majority was wrong in the past. Then I found the conflict between Geocentric and Heliocentric in 200 B.C. At that time, most people believed Geocentric and their belief lasts for a long period. However, as we know today, heliocentric is right, so I could realize again that the majority was entriely wrong. After the research, I want to know what is a connection between 'popularity' and 'majority'. I found that most people regard something popular and follow it when the majority claim those things. This article helped connect majority with popularity. I also thought that the 'popularity' could be applied to our entertainment field that only persue 'popularity', not 'quality'. Then how about schools? How about students? Aren't they affected by the majority? Of course, they really do. I realized that trends among students could influence their daily routine. Perhaps they influence in good ways. However, trends have problems in terms of finance, friendships, and so on. This could help know pros and cons of following trends. Eventually I realize always following majority opinion could cause many side effects. I think this argument will help many people make a decision critically.
3) New research questions
I have several questions that need to be resolved.
a) What are specific examples of music or movies that only attach an important to popularity?
b) Is there any problems among students due to following the majority?
c) How can following the majority affect to identity of people?
I'll continue browsing the internet and looking for interesting articles and keeping track of my research with blog posts.
4) Connections to the Harvard Sampler
This argument has connection to the Harvard Sampler, with a part "The Human Mind". First, majority opinion, in other words, groupthink is really related with psychology. Also several examples to demonstrate my argument will be also related with the human mind because 'following the majority' is made by human, thinking human being. Following majority opinion takes place when people try to follow them spontaneously.
I want to argue that we should not always follow majority opinion. Many people follow majority opinion in society, in school, and even in a family. However, this could have problems extended to media, art, students' identity, and scientific experiments. I want to show some examples and reasons to support my opinion that the majority is not always right so we should not follow them all the time.
2) How I found my argument
My first research question was, is there any reason people follow majority opinion? Then I found an example of a person's experience saying the majority is not always true, and a reason people follow the majority is because 'groupthink'. It's kind of psychology, and I realize people don't want to make a conflict with others so don't occur alternative ideas. This article helped to know about what 'groupthink' means and why the groupthink has some problems. As I continued researching, it seemed there should be an example when the majority was wrong in the past. Then I found the conflict between Geocentric and Heliocentric in 200 B.C. At that time, most people believed Geocentric and their belief lasts for a long period. However, as we know today, heliocentric is right, so I could realize again that the majority was entriely wrong. After the research, I want to know what is a connection between 'popularity' and 'majority'. I found that most people regard something popular and follow it when the majority claim those things. This article helped connect majority with popularity. I also thought that the 'popularity' could be applied to our entertainment field that only persue 'popularity', not 'quality'. Then how about schools? How about students? Aren't they affected by the majority? Of course, they really do. I realized that trends among students could influence their daily routine. Perhaps they influence in good ways. However, trends have problems in terms of finance, friendships, and so on. This could help know pros and cons of following trends. Eventually I realize always following majority opinion could cause many side effects. I think this argument will help many people make a decision critically.
3) New research questions
I have several questions that need to be resolved.
a) What are specific examples of music or movies that only attach an important to popularity?
b) Is there any problems among students due to following the majority?
c) How can following the majority affect to identity of people?
I'll continue browsing the internet and looking for interesting articles and keeping track of my research with blog posts.
4) Connections to the Harvard Sampler
This argument has connection to the Harvard Sampler, with a part "The Human Mind". First, majority opinion, in other words, groupthink is really related with psychology. Also several examples to demonstrate my argument will be also related with the human mind because 'following the majority' is made by human, thinking human being. Following majority opinion takes place when people try to follow them spontaneously.
Research 4
Source:
Pros and Cons of FOLLOWING TRENDS
http://talesofateenagefashionista.blogspot.kr/2011/04/pros-and-cons-of-following-trends.html
My Topic:
Should we always follow majority opinion?
What I hope to learn from this source:
Let me see the story of students. How about students? Are they affected by 'the majority?' Of course they do. Especially, a trend among them never disappears in school.
Notes:
1. The definition of trend is : A general direction in which something is developing or changing.
2. The truth is, trends are formed by YOUR family and friends wearing them and inspiring others to inspire others to inspire others, so on and so forth until the world is wearing the same outfit varieties.
3. If you follow trends, there are many problems.
Pros and Cons of FOLLOWING TRENDS
http://talesofateenagefashionista.blogspot.kr/2011/04/pros-and-cons-of-following-trends.html
My Topic:
Should we always follow majority opinion?
What I hope to learn from this source:
Let me see the story of students. How about students? Are they affected by 'the majority?' Of course they do. Especially, a trend among them never disappears in school.
Notes:
1. The definition of trend is : A general direction in which something is developing or changing.
2. The truth is, trends are formed by YOUR family and friends wearing them and inspiring others to inspire others to inspire others, so on and so forth until the world is wearing the same outfit varieties.
3. If you follow trends, there are many problems.
- spend all money
- next season, look so outdated
- many of people are as fashionable as you are, and half the world might dress just like you
Final Thoughts:
Like from this research, there are more bad effects than good effects wearing trends. And trends are also made by the majority, but it causes a lot of problems. Especially in Korea in 2010, even though many students wear "The N**th F**e" outers, many other students couldn't buy those clothes because they were quite expensive. Also, the trends only lasts for winter of a year so many students had to buy new ones. They might lost their identity or individuality. I think that although there are many problems due to following majority opinion, the problem among students in terms of 'trends' is the most serious and important.
Like from this research, there are more bad effects than good effects wearing trends. And trends are also made by the majority, but it causes a lot of problems. Especially in Korea in 2010, even though many students wear "The N**th F**e" outers, many other students couldn't buy those clothes because they were quite expensive. Also, the trends only lasts for winter of a year so many students had to buy new ones. They might lost their identity or individuality. I think that although there are many problems due to following majority opinion, the problem among students in terms of 'trends' is the most serious and important.
Research 3
Source:
Appeal to Popularity
http://logical-critical-thinking.com/logical-fallacy/appeal-to-popularity/
http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/appeal-to-popularity.html
My Topic:
Should we always follow majority opinion?
What I hope to learn from this source:
People nowadays believe that fact most people agree is true. I want to show how concept of 'popularity' came from the concept of the 'majority', and find some connections between two of them. Also, I want to show several problems popularity has.
Notes:
1. Appeal to popularity is when someone tries to validate a statement based on the number of people that support or do not support the statement.
The Appeal to Popularity has the following form:
3. However, It is clearly fallacious to accept the approval of the majority as evidence for a claim.
4-1. EXAMPLE 1 : Suppose that a skilled speaker managed to get most people to absolutely love the claim that 1+1=3. It would still not be rational to accept this claim simply because most people approved of it.
4-2. EXAMPLE 2 : At one time people approved of claims such as "the world is flat."
4-3. EXAMPLE 3 : They also believed "humans cannot survive at speeds greater than 25 miles per hour."
4-4. EXAMPLE 4 : Most people believed "the sun revolves around the earth."
5. EXAMPLE 1~4, these claims all turned out to be false.
6. Since most humans tend to conform with the views of majority, convincing a person that the majority approves of a claim is often an effective way to get him to accept it. Also, advertisers use this strategy when they want to sell products by claiming that everyone uses and loves their products.
7. The fallacies as Appeal to Belief (the fact that most people believe a claim) and Appeal to Common Practice (the fact that many people take the action in question) are similar with the fallacy that has been mentioned.
Appeal to Popularity
http://logical-critical-thinking.com/logical-fallacy/appeal-to-popularity/
http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/appeal-to-popularity.html
My Topic:
Should we always follow majority opinion?
What I hope to learn from this source:
People nowadays believe that fact most people agree is true. I want to show how concept of 'popularity' came from the concept of the 'majority', and find some connections between two of them. Also, I want to show several problems popularity has.
Notes:
1. Appeal to popularity is when someone tries to validate a statement based on the number of people that support or do not support the statement.
The Appeal to Popularity has the following form:
- Most people approve of X (have favorable emotions towards X).
- Therefore X is true.
3. However, It is clearly fallacious to accept the approval of the majority as evidence for a claim.
4-1. EXAMPLE 1 : Suppose that a skilled speaker managed to get most people to absolutely love the claim that 1+1=3. It would still not be rational to accept this claim simply because most people approved of it.
4-2. EXAMPLE 2 : At one time people approved of claims such as "the world is flat."
4-3. EXAMPLE 3 : They also believed "humans cannot survive at speeds greater than 25 miles per hour."
4-4. EXAMPLE 4 : Most people believed "the sun revolves around the earth."
5. EXAMPLE 1~4, these claims all turned out to be false.
6. Since most humans tend to conform with the views of majority, convincing a person that the majority approves of a claim is often an effective way to get him to accept it. Also, advertisers use this strategy when they want to sell products by claiming that everyone uses and loves their products.
7. The fallacies as Appeal to Belief (the fact that most people believe a claim) and Appeal to Common Practice (the fact that many people take the action in question) are similar with the fallacy that has been mentioned.
Final Thoughts:
Thus, the idea many people believe has popularity and this popularity might cause fallacious information or result. This content could be extended to popularity in 'media', especially in Korea, where only popularity is regarded important instead of quality. Therefore there are a lot of movies, music, and other entertainments which persue popularity through sexuality or appearance. It's also a serious problem caused by the majority only chase dramatic things which become popular easily.
Thus, the idea many people believe has popularity and this popularity might cause fallacious information or result. This content could be extended to popularity in 'media', especially in Korea, where only popularity is regarded important instead of quality. Therefore there are a lot of movies, music, and other entertainments which persue popularity through sexuality or appearance. It's also a serious problem caused by the majority only chase dramatic things which become popular easily.
2014년 9월 8일 월요일
Research 2
Source:
Difference Between Geocentric and Heliocentric
http://www.universetoday.com/36487/difference-between-geocentric-and-heliocentric/
My Topic:
Should we always follow majority opinion?
What I hope to learn from this source:
Through this research, I want to show an example of wrong idea of the majority. Actually, this could be common but it is one of the best examples that majority opinion was wrong.
Notes:
1. The geocentric model which means earth centered was developed thousands of years ago by Greek philosophers and was the accepted model of the Solar System for centuries.
2. The heliocentric model, which means sun centered, gradually replaced the geocentric model. This theory revolutionized everything because it reversed centuries of established opinion.
3. Although the idea of a heliocentric model had been around as early as 200 B.C., it did not gain popularity until the 16th century.
4. Then, why the geocentric model remained in popularity for so many years? It was because it did explain many observations made by the early Greeks. Also it was because that the theory went along with the Roman Catholic Church's policy.
Difference Between Geocentric and Heliocentric
http://www.universetoday.com/36487/difference-between-geocentric-and-heliocentric/
My Topic:
Should we always follow majority opinion?
What I hope to learn from this source:
Through this research, I want to show an example of wrong idea of the majority. Actually, this could be common but it is one of the best examples that majority opinion was wrong.
Notes:
1. The geocentric model which means earth centered was developed thousands of years ago by Greek philosophers and was the accepted model of the Solar System for centuries.
2. The heliocentric model, which means sun centered, gradually replaced the geocentric model. This theory revolutionized everything because it reversed centuries of established opinion.
3. Although the idea of a heliocentric model had been around as early as 200 B.C., it did not gain popularity until the 16th century.
4. Then, why the geocentric model remained in popularity for so many years? It was because it did explain many observations made by the early Greeks. Also it was because that the theory went along with the Roman Catholic Church's policy.
Final Thoughts:
At that time, most people believed geocentric model was right. However, as time goes, they realized the theory didn't have a sense. Thus, the majority opinion was wrong and the thing is, the wrong opinion lasts for a long time. The majority is not always right. Sometimes we need to respect the minority and accept their ideas, not just criticizing them.
Research 1
Source :
1. When The Majority Is Wrong
http://larrycheng.com/2011/11/21/when-the-majority-is-wrong/
My Topic :
Should we always follow majority opinion?
What I hope to learn from this source:
There is someone's example that the experience when the majority was wrong. It is not only the first time- it says the majority is often wrong. Also I want to show how much 'groupthink' could be strong nowadays.
Notes:
1. Despite the fact that often times the majority rules, that doesn’t mean the majority is right.
2. In an experiment (making personal investment decisions), decisions were always made after individuals would talk to each other behind the scenes to discuss how much they were going to put into each investment. But they were rarely made in isolation.
3. A great predictor of failure for an investment was when the max out scenario took place : If everyone loved a deal and backed up the truck on their personal investment, it was more than likely to not succeed. (=failed in quick fashion.)
4. Groupthink : a psychological phenomenon that occurs within groups of people... Group members try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without critical evaluation of alternative ideas and viewpoints. (e.g. Pearl Harbor and the Bay of Pigs)
Groupthink more likely including:
1. High Group Cohesiveness
2. Group Insulation
3. Lack of Impartial Leadership
4. Lack of Norms Requiring Methodological Procedures
5. Homogeneity of Members’ Social Background and Ideology
5. Until we’ve understood how your majority opinion could be wrong, we should strongly question whether your opinion is right. A great and simple test is whether you can argue both the majority and dissenting opinion well – irrespective of which one you hold.
Final Thoughts:
Maybe all the people have their own opinion but they only can't express it because they are living in a "group". As most people work in a company and society, they have to meet a lot of others and don't want to make a conflict. Moreover, there's no one who lead another idea and group cohesiveness is so high that the minority can't claim their opinion. According to the text, I could know that 'groupthink' is also contributed by psychological aspects.
1. When The Majority Is Wrong
http://larrycheng.com/2011/11/21/when-the-majority-is-wrong/
My Topic :
Should we always follow majority opinion?
What I hope to learn from this source:
There is someone's example that the experience when the majority was wrong. It is not only the first time- it says the majority is often wrong. Also I want to show how much 'groupthink' could be strong nowadays.
Notes:
1. Despite the fact that often times the majority rules, that doesn’t mean the majority is right.
2. In an experiment (making personal investment decisions), decisions were always made after individuals would talk to each other behind the scenes to discuss how much they were going to put into each investment. But they were rarely made in isolation.
3. A great predictor of failure for an investment was when the max out scenario took place : If everyone loved a deal and backed up the truck on their personal investment, it was more than likely to not succeed. (=failed in quick fashion.)
4. Groupthink : a psychological phenomenon that occurs within groups of people... Group members try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without critical evaluation of alternative ideas and viewpoints. (e.g. Pearl Harbor and the Bay of Pigs)
Groupthink more likely including:
1. High Group Cohesiveness
2. Group Insulation
3. Lack of Impartial Leadership
4. Lack of Norms Requiring Methodological Procedures
5. Homogeneity of Members’ Social Background and Ideology
5. Until we’ve understood how your majority opinion could be wrong, we should strongly question whether your opinion is right. A great and simple test is whether you can argue both the majority and dissenting opinion well – irrespective of which one you hold.
Final Thoughts:
Maybe all the people have their own opinion but they only can't express it because they are living in a "group". As most people work in a company and society, they have to meet a lot of others and don't want to make a conflict. Moreover, there's no one who lead another idea and group cohesiveness is so high that the minority can't claim their opinion. According to the text, I could know that 'groupthink' is also contributed by psychological aspects.
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