When you are asked for an opinion, it should not be “off the top of your head.” Instead, examine the subject carefully and support your assertions with evidence.
Consider the following example, and apply similar methods in other instances:
Asked about your opinion of Columbus, your first impulse may be to say, “Columbus
committed genocide.”
With regard to point 1: be certain that you understand the meaning of the words that you use. Refer to high-quality reference works. The word genocide is a 20th century coinage.
When applying new concepts to old events, be careful that they are appropriate.
With regard to genocide, there have been deliberate extinctions of entire populations on occasion.
We are trying to decide if this was the case with regard to actions taken by Columbus
Points 3 and 4 and possibly point 7 represent behavior that is clearly unacceptable in our time, although some of this was considered appropriate in Columbus’ time
Avoid anachronistic expectations—we can not expect persons from other times to share all of our values. On the other hand, some values seem to be widely held—for example, disapproval of murder and theft. Complications arise when we find that the definitions of murder and theft may vary somewhat.
What we see as the theft of Indian lands was considered ethical in Columbus’ time, but point 10 shows that acts of extreme violence were not universally accepted..
None of these points tells us that Columbus did or did not intend tot exterminate all Indians.
Point 6 removes all doubt about ultimate Indian verdict on Columbus’ expedition.
Evidence must actually apply to the question.
It does not ell us anything about Columbus’ intentions.
Columbus had no control over or responsibility for points 8 or 9.
Evidence must actually apply to the question.
Whether or not the actions of those who came after him was genocide, this does not apply to the case of Columbus’ intentions or actions.
Point 9 was not the result of anyone’s deliberate action and would not apply to any charge of wrongdoing against any person.
Point 5 indicates that Columbus had expectations for the Indians that did not include their complete eradication.
Evidence contrary to the working thesis must be considered.
We have no evidence to show that Columbus or his crew deliberately planned to destroy entire populations.
Conclusions must be based on evidence and logic..
Results:
We have avoided several pitfalls; irrelevant evidence, misapplied terminology, and anachronism.
Our conclusion: Although Columbus and men under his command behaved with great ferocity, broke some moral codes that they themselves held, and repeatedly violated many of the modern conceptions of human rights, Columbus did not commit genocide.
Action: Rewrite the sentence to conform to the evidence. “Columbus and his men behaved with great cruelty, showing little respect for Indian culture or rights.”
Why all this fuss over a single word?
Because we value precise thinking, we abstain from ill-considered statements.
By cultivating this habit of mind we learn to think effectively on every occasion.
Our conclusions are sound and the actions we take are less likely to be mistaken.