understanding doublethink with examples
Understanding Doublethink with Examples
The term 'doublethink' is often confused with being hypocritical; however, once you read this Buzzle article, you will realize the subtle differences between the two, and you will understand how to differentiate one from the other.
George Orwell coined the term doublethink in his dystopian novel 1984.
It is funny how life and thoughts put us in difficult predicaments. Sometime or the other, we face certain situations leading to mixed feelings, thoughts, and actions. We often find ourselves face-to-face with thoughts where we find ourselves agreeing and advocating two contradictory sides of a belief. Both sides of the belief have equal validity, carry the same weightage, and most important of all, both sides are equally acceptable. This is what George Orwell refers to as doublethink.
We often find ourselves doing this mainly to save our face, then be it our face or the face of the person in front of us. Here, by face, we mean to say the public image that we portray or the appearances we keep. For example, when we watch the news on TV sets and see war situations, we wonder if war is peace, or war is slavery. The following article is an attempt to doublethink along with some examples from real life, politics, society, as well as the very origin of the term, from the novel 1984 by George Orwell.
Definition
Doublethink was coined or created by George Orwell in his novel '1984', where he quoted:
"The power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them... "
It is a little hazy and confusing to understand what the author meant just by reading the above excerpt. The first sentence explains that doublethink means accepting two contradictory beliefs and/or ideas that one can have at the same time; and that both are acceptable and valid. This art of viewing a situation or topic from all dimensions in a way alters reality and to a certain extent, replaces the truth with fabricating reality. In other words, doublethink gives you a little more control by eliminating uncertainty and, thus, believes that the whole system seems coherent.
Examples
Following are some examples of doublethink from the book 1984, along with some examples used in politics, society, and real life.
➢ Abortion
➢ Act your age but age is only a number.
➢ Animals are safer in the sanctuaries/zoos rather than the wild.
➢ Don't be artificial but smile and people will like you.
➢ Don't lie but don't say anything that's rude.
➢ Execution of a murderer.
➢ Follow your dreams but you need to find yourself a secure job.
➢ For men- be masculine but if you are manly, don't act tough or be a male chauvinist.
➢ The government believes in openness, yet a lot is done in secrecy.
➢ Ignorance is bliss.
➢ You might have a rags-to-riches story; however, money can't you buy happiness.
➢ You must fit in and yet stand out.
➢ Your life is run by fate, but you must exercise free will.
➢ War is peace.
Let me explain to you one of the above examples; for instance, if we take "Execution of a murderer" as an example.
➤ Murderers killed people and so they too should be executed.
➤ What is the difference between us and them if we take another human life?
➤ They have a family.
➤ They took the life of someone who had a family.
➤ Murderers are humans.
➤ Murderers murdered another human.
➤ They repent for their mistake.
➤ They must pay for their actions.