Linear-Thinking

Subj: Linear-Thinking
1. Ayesha Siddiqa
DAWN

You article on "Linear Thinking: (DAWN, Friday, 25th December, 2009) is written with good intentions. You have skillfully analyzed the uncomfortable reality and the savage truth behind Linear Thinking. But you have deliberately ignored Islamic Linear Thinking.

As a closed, non-compromising, reductionist dogma, Islam is replete with linear thinking. Is it not fair to say, Pakistani politicians are conditioned with Linear thinking because of their Islamic indoctrination? As followers of the closed Islamic dogma, Islamists are compelled to follow linear thinking, since Muslims are trapped in it at an early age. If we are to make any progress, we must dispose of such Linear, reductionist and mechanical thinking.

People who follow linear thinking have always a temptation to simplify problems facing them into clear-cut categories or dichotomies of black or white, right or wrong. For muslims, It is islam vs. kafirs. it is necessary to recognize the broader perspective, wholistic thinking as the best way of looking at a problem. The question we need to raise when choosing a theory for analyzing a complex issue: Is linear thing allow us to include all the varibales? most of the pakistani islamic fundamentalists are using the inappropriate liner thinking in finding a solution for complex problems. It ma be like trying to dig a canal with a spoon. It is necessary to understand systemic thinking and have a wholistic frame of mind for dealing with complex problems. The sooner Pakistani Muslims abandon narrow, sectarian reductionist- Linear Thinking and their exclusive islamic dogmatism, they will be able to embrace democracy, tolerance, humanism, peace and progress.
Thank you for your clear views on Linear Thinking
Dr. Babu Suseelan
2. My Take:
Quote: Islam is replete with linear thinking.
COMMENT: Islam satiated with Linear-Thinking, turns its nose up on Non-Linear Thinking.
3. Quote: As followers of the closed Islamic dogma, Islamists are compelled to follow linear thinking, since Muslims are trapped in it at an early age.
COMMENT: From near the first part of their life, Moslems ( Pakistani politicians included ) soak up a vast amount of Linear-Thinking. Mullahs & Maulvies repeat ad infinitum:
" Stay with me, stay with Mohammad, stay with Quran, stay with Allah and so on. "
This kind of parrot-like Linear-Thinking ( Linear-Message ), which the Mullahs mis-label as Logical-Thinking, buries Moslems into the Black-Hole of Islam. But Moslems can get out of this mental slump, and get out of it, if they develop an attitude of questioning, to seek the truth, and reject the falsehood.
4. Quote: People who follow linear thinking have always a temptation to simplify problems facing them into clear-cut categories or dichotomies of black or white, right or wrong. For muslims, It is islam vs. kafirs.
COMMENT: True, True, True.
Linear-Thinking is an easy way out, for dealing with simple problems, but it gets you stuck when dealing with complex problems. Repeated application of this thinking, gets you stuck in a rut. One definition of rut ( from a friend of mine ) :
" Rut is a coffin without nails. "
In other words, Linear-Thinking is as dead as a cemetry, in the world of today.
5. Quote: The question we need to raise when choosing a theory for analyzing a complex issue: Is linear thing allow us to include all the varibales? most of the pakistani islamic fundamentalists are using the inappropriate liner thinking in finding a solution for complex problems.
COMMENT: That is the Only correct question that we can ask oursleves ( and teach our children ).
It is quite amazing, but it is a matter of common observation that, simplicity does not exist any more in the world of today. In fact, during the last 1400 years of existence of Islam, momentum has shifted away from simplicity, and towards technological complexity of life. It is also a fact that, no body can stop this momentum, not even Islam's Allah.
In the present world of ours, there are hell of a lot more Rotary-Actuators ( Non-Linear ), than there are Linear-Actuators. Pun Intended.
6. Quote: It ma be like trying to dig a canal with a spoon. It is necessary to understand systemic thinking and have a wholistic frame of mind for dealing with complex problems.
COMMENT: It is certainly possible to dig a canal with a spoon, if you are willing to dig long enough, and have longing, longevity, & strength to do it. But it is an In-Adequate procedure, and that is what this observation is all about.
We are living in a crazy, uncertain, and extremely-complex world. A solution design in this kind of world, requires Non-Linear Thinking ( Yanks abbreviate it as NLT ). It is also sometimes referred to as Systems-Thinking & Circular-Thinking, even though no circles are involved, except imaginary ones.
7. Quote: The sooner Pakistani Muslims abandon narrow, sectarian reductionist- Linear Thinking and their exclusive islamic dogmatism, they will be able to embrace democracy, tolerance, humanism, peace and progress.
COMMENT: Stuck in a long-existing Linear-Formula ( mis-labelled as Logical-Formula by Mullahs & Maulvies ), Moslems of Pakistan would find it hell of a job, to whittle down the monster of their Linear-Thinking.
But if they could, it would change their life, and that of the world, for the better.
8. To summarize, I totally concur with Dr. Suseelan Jee that:
NLT is the real thing to do.
　
Surinder Paul Attri