Mental model · Reasoning

Hanlon’s razor

Hanlon’s razor: Do not attribute to malice what is adequately explained by pressure, confusion or not noticing.

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Do not attribute to malice what is adequately explained by pressure, confusion or not noticing.

Try it now

Think of someone whose recent behaviour annoyed you. Write three explanations that do not involve them intending harm.

What to do with the answer

Ask a question that would distinguish between them before you respond. You are usually wrong about the reason.

Where it misleads

Some behaviour IS deliberate, and applied without limit this becomes a way of excusing a pattern that should be named.