Article
The Uses of Binary Thinking
Journal of Advanced Composition
(1993)
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
Disciplines
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/