Oversimplification

Simplification is a useful, necessary activity, something which we all make use at some time. Complicated matters may be made clearer by simplifying them. Oversimplification, however, does not merely reduce a complex issue or idea to more manageable proportions, it twists and distorts the idea so that it states not a true or accurate representation of the matter, but rather offers a caricature – a poor imitation of the “genuine article” – instead of informing, oversimplification misleads.

(see also: clarity of thinking, Framing, argument, soundness, critical thinking, weasel words, openminded scepticism, problem of adequacy, persuasion/persuasiveness, fallacy, reasoning, conclusion, claim, evidence, (hidden) assumptions, establish, support, ground, justification, controversies)

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