The Importance of Honest Assessment

The Importance of Honest Assessment

By: John Kazerooni 

Every action carries both advantages and disadvantages—there is no action that is purely beneficial or entirely harmful. Although there may be some rare cases where an action has overwhelmingly negative or completely positive consequences, most of our actions are a mix of both pros and cons. A fair and accurate evaluation of any decision requires an honest assessment of these factors. Only by weighing them properly can one make a just determination of an action’s overall impact. However, this balanced approach is often disregarded, particularly in politics and everyday conversations, where selective emphasis on either positives or negatives is used as a tool for manipulation.

Consider a hypothetical scenario: Suppose I take an action that has both benefits and drawbacks. Using a scale from 1 to 100, let’s say the advantages of my action rate at 90, while its disadvantages rate at 20. Clearly, the benefits significantly outweigh the drawbacks. If this action affects society, the overall outcome would be largely positive, despite the presence of some downsides. However, if a politician, media outlet, or even an individual in a personal conversation chooses to focus only on the disadvantages—repeating them persistently while ignoring or downplaying the benefits—the public perception of the action becomes distorted. Over time, people may either disregard the positive impact or view the action solely through the lens of its disadvantages.

This form of manipulation has become a troubling norm not only in politics but also in our daily interactions. People often highlight the negatives in discussions about others, whether in social settings, workplaces, or even within families. Whether intentionally or not, focusing only on the flaws of a person or an action while ignoring the broader context can lead to misunderstandings, damaged relationships, and a culture of negativity. This tendency is particularly dangerous in larger societal discussions, where selective narratives can divide communities and hinder progress.

This issue is deeply concerning and demands urgent attention. A well-functioning society depends on informed and rational decision-making, which can only be achieved through honest and complete assessments of actions and policies. Citizens must be aware of these manipulative tactics—not just from politicians and media but also in their own conversations—and actively seek out comprehensive perspectives rather than accepting one-sided narratives. Without such awareness, the fabric of trust and progress in our communities, nations, and the world at large will continue to erode.

Questions linger in my mind:

How can we educate people to recognize and resist such manipulative tactics?

What role does media literacy play in fostering a more informed society?

Are these types of selective narratives shaping our society in a harmful way?

How can individuals encourage fair and balanced discussions in their daily lives?

What steps can be taken to ensure that political and social debates focus on honest evaluations rather than manipulation?

What skill do we need to ensure that our evaluation of an action, if not 100 percent accurate, is at least very close?

Maybe we will never achieve such a utopian society, but let us hope and believe that, as a society, we can make progress and find ways to minimize such behavior.

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