Q&A: The Source of Dichotomous Thinking

Originally published: May 11, 2021

This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.

The Source of Dichotomous Thinking

Question

I was wondering why human beings tend toward a type of thinking with 2 options rather than 3 (or more). I’d be glad to hear the Rabbi’s opinion on what, in his view, might explain the tendency toward dichotomous thinking. Thanks 🙂

Answer

I’ve been wondering about that myself for quite some time. See my article on yeshiva-style conceptual analyses:

המחייב בממון המזיק: למהותן של ה’חקירות’ העיוניות[1]

It depends on what the third option is. If it’s just some random third possibility, then there’s no reason for that. If we’re talking about a combination of the two options, then sometimes the dichotomy stems from simplicity (Occam’s razor), but that depends on whether it’s a combination in the sense of “or” or “and.” “Or” is indeed less simple, but “and” is a completely acceptable possibility.
See also here:
https://mikyab.net/%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%A8%D7%A7-%D7%A9%D7%A0%D7%99-%D7%A6%D7%93%D7%93%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%91%D7%97%D7%A7%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%94

The Source of Dichotomous Thinking

Question

Answer

שתף

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