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Article
The Uses of Binary Thinking
Journal of Advanced Composition (1993)
  • Peter Elbow, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Abstract

When thinkers encounter a contradiction they have traditionally tended to take one of three courses: to try to figure out which side is right; to figure out which side should be seen as hierarchially dominant; or to figure out or how to use a dialectic process synthesize them into a higher concept. In this essay I argue for the value of trying to learn to affirm both sides in all their contrariness.

Keywords
  • binary,
  • contradiction,
  • opposite,
  • contrary,
  • thinking,
  • dialectic
Publication Date
Winter 1993
Citation Information
Peter Elbow. "The Uses of Binary Thinking" Journal of Advanced Composition Vol. 13 Iss. 1 (1993)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/peter_elbow/40/