Is generalization really that bad?

[Chicken_Biryani]

Re: Is generalization really that bad?

@khattichic

Generalizations about fruit, cars, other inanimate objects or the weather is not the same thing as generalizing about living, breathing people who feel and understand. Most generalizations about cultures, religions and countries come about in a derogatory nature and are not positive criticism.

For example, the generalization in the West that Islam is an terrorist religion**.**…how can that be taken as a positive criticism?

I am firmly against painting everything with one wide, broad stroke and slapping labels on people. There are ways to work towards a solution without generalizing and pigeon holing an entire race, gender, country or religion into one pile

Generalization when done positively is considered ok , but when done on certain things is considered not ok? for example for medical treatments , when experiments are being conducted they are done on a definitive number of subjects, say 10,000 or 20,000 subjects and based on its success with those , it is then rolled out on a generic scale .. Isnt that generalization as well? how do they know, what worked on 7000 people will work on anyone or everyone out there ?

We all have individual traits , but many of those traits are influenced by the culture ,religion or environment we live in. Hence , chances are people living in a same place may have similar traits , good or bad.

For example, Indians have a really good reputation at being extremely dedicated and hard workers. On the contrary, local arabs in the UAE are notoriously considered lazy workers !

Iranians are known to have beautiful physical features. Kashmiris are known to have beautiful complexions, Pathans are considered brave warriors and this is seen as a very positive quality in times of war in the region. Similarly, Jews are considered to have a very strong business sense.

Can you deny that there are positive generalizations as well? if we accept those, we should accept that negative generalizations are pretty ok too. Now regards Islam being seen as a terrorist religion, can we really blame the west for having this view? can we deny that we are right now under siege by an enemy that we, as muslims, dont know how to fight? can we deny that we muslims arent doing enough and are very susceptible to falling prey to forces who are misusing our religion to this extent?

Telling them ,not to generalize is not really the answer anymore. its fairly childish in my opinion to not accept that we have a problem ,a huge problem at hand, because a set of traits is now becoming a major representative factor for muslims all over the world.