Developing Intellectual Honesty

Scenario # 7

Becky is a local baker who owns Becky’s Baked Goods.  She specializes in making cupcakes.  Her business has grown a lot over the past year, as she has begun advertising her cupcakes on social media.  Where she talks about how much better cupcakes are than muffins.  Pointing out to her followers that muffins are sad and inferior versions of cupcakes that aren’t as fluffy and that don’t even have frosting!

Stephanie is a local baker who owns Stephanie’s Down Home Muffins.  She also advertises on social media and recently came across Becky’s disparaging remarks about muffins.  She replied to her comments by pointing out that not only are muffins healthier, but the are larger, and they have blueberries!  Her social media posts accuse cupcake bakers of having to use frosting in order to get people to eat them, whereas muffins are delicious all on their own.

Highly incensed by Stephanie’s attacks against the sanctity of cupcakes, Becky reported her posts to the social media companies, demanding that Stephanie’s posts be retracted.  Calling them incendiary and inappropriate.  The social media companies ultimately agree with Becky and remove Stephanie’s account, but they leave Becky’s active.  Where she continues to speak out against muffins.

Which of the following conclusions might an intellectually honest person draw, and why?

1. Becky is in the right.  Everyone knows that cupcakes are better than muffins.  Stephanie should not have been saying inappropriate things to her customers about cupcakes.  Her speech is hateful, and should be removed.

2.  Stephanie has been wronged by Becky.  Clearly cupcakes are awful, while muffins are a guilt free treat.  Becky should apologize to Stephanie, and it is her account that should be taken off of social media.

3.  Both bakeries are in the wrong.  They took their efforts to market their products too far.  Both should be removed from social media.  

4.  Neither bakery is in the wrong.  The rivalry between the two shoppes is all in harmless fun.  Both should be allowed to continue their banter back and forth.

Again, remember that Intellectual honesty isn’t about making a particular judgement call.  It is about applying the same values to all situations, regardless of the circumstances.  Thus, both 3, and 4 can be intellectually honest positions to take.  You may disagree with the positions taken in number 3 or 4, but what matters is that the person making the judgement call applied the same values to both situations.

Either the bakeries are both equally guilty, or they are both equally innocent.  Whether we personally like cupcakes or muffins more is irrelevant.  We must judge both sides by the same set of values.

Our goal must be to judge all situations by the same standards, regardless of whether they affect our tribe, or the other tribe.