Author Adam Grant used the word “complexifying” in his powerful book, Think Again, The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know. Hearing that word reminded me of a long-ago conversation with my beloved twin brother. We were talking about some issue, and he claimed I was “complexifying” it. I remember being miffed and embarrassed, wondering if I had been rambling.
In Chapter 8 of Think Again, titled “Charged Conversations: Depolarizing Our Divided Discussions,” Grant describes our basic human tendency to seek clarity and closure by simplifying a complex continuum into two categories. Psychologists call this binary bias. Here are a few of his observations about complex thinking:
“An antidote to this proclivity [binary bias] is complexifying: showcasing the range of perspectives on a given topic.”
“A dose of complexity can disrupt overconfidence cycles and spur rethinking cycles.”
Resisting the impulse to simplify is a step toward becoming more argument literate.”
So maybe my complexification wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
I tend to think and speak in terms of many options and obstacles. I see more gray than black and white, find nuance everywhere, and then sometimes struggle to communicate these tangled thoughts clearly. From now on, I’m going to consider this tendency as rooted in humility and genuine desire to understand complex issues from all sides — rather than a sign of ignorance, indecision, circuitous thinking, or poor cognition (though, admittedly, these may occasionally be present).
But complexification brings its own challenges. Here are three.
We can become so deeply mired in complexity that we we are unable— or too insecure— to reach a conclusion or take a stand.
Second, we can confuse ourselves and others if we are overwhelmed by information that we do not understand or cannot integrate.
Third, honest and healthy complexification requires openness to new input that might be confusing or disruptive to our thinking.
Here’s a few disparate examples.
Consider the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Learning more about the long and complex history of the mid-East has led me to feel deep compassion for both sides. Still, after engaging with that complexity, I am able to take a stand: I support an eventual two-state solution.
I did not know what a homosexual was until I was a teenager. I had learned only about male-female relationships. Over the decades, my mind had to absorb and sort through a great deal of conflicting input. That process eventually led me to the open and welcoming view of homosexuality that I hold today.
In Think Again, Grant also discusses gun control, noting that it is not simply a FOR or AGAINST issue. When we are willing to complexify, many possible approaches and solutions emerge.
This famous quote is attributed to HL Mencken:
“For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.”
When we find ourselves holding a black and white position, it may be worth asking whether our answer is “clear, simple, and wrong.” To explore that question honestly, we need to practice curiosity about the viewpoints of others and listen respectfully to those with whom we disagree. In this way, each of us can contribute to the healing of our polarized society.
SUGGESTIONS:
1. Read Think Again, by Adam Grant. It’s an easy read about how we benefit from rethinking and unlearning.
2. Read M. Scott Peck, especially his classic The Road Less Travelled. He said: “Abandon the urge to simplify everything, to look for formulas and easy answers, and to begin to think multidimensionally, to glory in the mystery and paradoxes of life, not to be dismayed by the multitude of causes and consequences that are inherent in each experience -- to appreciate the fact that life is complex.”
3. Explore nonduality. Nonduality is a metaphysical expression with Hindu roots, often summarized as “all is one.” As I understand it, nonduality leads us away from binary, black/white thinking. To learn more about Christian nonduality, see this short discussion by Cynthia Bourgeault.
I wish each of you a holy and happy Christmas and many blessings for the new year,
Love, Donna
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Dr. Donna Chacko promotes health of body, mind, and spirit through her website (serenityandhealth.com), her blog, her podcast/vlog series, “Engaging with a Messy World” and " “Pop-Up Conversations on Health of Mind, Body, and Spirit,” and programs at her church. She is the author of Pilgrimage: A Doctor’s Healing Journey (Luminare Press, 2021), a recent best-seller on Amazon, 2022 Illumination Awards Gold Medal Winner, 2022 Reader Views Literary Award Gold Medal Winner, and 2022 Catholic Media Association First Place Awards.
Complexification is a good thing. Learn more so you can help heal our polarized society.