"Like the punters out there, she could entertain simultaneously any number of conflicting opinions. They could believe in Al, and not believe in her, both at once. Faced with the impossible, their minds, like Colette's, simply scuttled off in another direction"
From Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel
I vividly remember the moment when I first articulated to myself the realisation that it is perfectly possible for people to hold two entirely contradicting beliefs at the same time. It was a pivotal moment, it meant I could stop worrying about people not making sense and take delight in the wonderful muddle of human nature.
One of my favourite research tasks is being asked to unpick people's beliefs about a certain issue. Particularly so-called 'low-involvement' subjects, where few have consciously examined their attitudes and beliefs. It's not uncommon to discover deep rooted contradictions that are so paradoxical that they have an almost beautiful symmetry.
one of my favourite, favourite books of recent times. can we do a book club thing on it? although i might have to reread to remember properly.
i remember thinking about this with a friend a few years back who thought she was in love with 2 people at the same time. i still think *that's* probably impossible, but contradictory beliefs are a wonderful human (and humane) prerogative i think.
Posted by: beeker | 05 July 2007 at 04:08 PM
Definitely - good idea, I've only just started it but am really enjoying it.
Will you do a post on your blog - the home of the sort of book club?
Posted by: Helen | 05 July 2007 at 04:13 PM
Damn straight. I read somewhere that being able to have two opposing thoughts in your head is a sign of higher intelligence. I suppose there's a fine between seeing both sides of the argument and hypocrisy though
Posted by: np | 05 July 2007 at 04:32 PM
I love the way that people can have perfectly logical paradoxical opinions.
Thats part of what makes us so incredible as a species, that we can contradict ourselves and then understand and learn further
Posted by: Rob Mortimer | 12 July 2007 at 12:46 PM
I remeber it as one of my favourite compliments when a group of students who had been asked to write a portrait of me for their Creative Writing Session agreed that they were fascinated by the way I could hold contradictory beliefs and be aware of it.
Thinking about it, they probably thought it should drive me batty. Maybe it should do, but hey ho!
Posted by: Max | 19 October 2007 at 12:50 PM