Essay on Doublethink In 1984 - 1706 Words

What is doublethink? Orwell describes doublethink as amp;#8220;the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in oneamp;#8217;s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.; In 1984, doublethink is the normal way of thought, and as a result everyone understands it and practices it. Doublethink is different from changing ones mind, lying, and self-deception in many ways. Doublethink involves believing in the two contradictory ideas at the same time. This is different from lying because lying is saying something that is wrong and knowing that it is wrong but still saying it anyway. For example lets say you broke a vase. When your mother asks you who broke the vase and you say the dog did it that would be lying. The reason it is not†¦show more content†¦An example of this would be thinking that you are such a smart person that you do not have to do any homework or studying and expect to do well in class. This is self-deception because even geniuses have to learn the materia l at one point. Some people, such as geniuses, may learn it at a faster rate but they do have to learn it. So by thinking you are smart enough to do well in class without doing any work would be self-deception. Now that doublethink is distinguished from lying, changing ones mind, and self-deception, some examples of doublethink will be discussed and whether or not it is necessary and virtuous for contemporary American society. Affirmative action is an excellent example of doublethink. Affirmative action is the idea of ending discrimination by basically practicing it. Affirmative action says that no matter how many qualified people there are for a job there has to be a certain number of minorities let in. Which means, in turn, if your white it will be harder to get a job due to affirmative action, because employers will have to hire a certain number of minorities even if they are not as qualified as you. This is to justify for generations of discrimination towards minorities by creating a new era of discrimination toward non-minorities. This is a clear example of doublethink in that one is led to believe that by discriminating you can justify for discrimination. InterestinglyShow MoreRelatedDoublethink in 19841751 Words   |  8 PagesWhat is doublethink? Orwell describes doublethink as #8220;the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one#8217;s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.#8221; In 1984, doublethink is the normal way of thought, and as a result everyone understands it and practices it. Doublethink is different from changing ones mind, lying, and self-deception in many ways. Doublethink involves believing in the two contradictory ideas at the same time. This is different from lying because lyingRead More1984 Doublethink Analysis1237 Words   |  5 PagesThe Role of Doublethink in The Government of 1984 â€Å" War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength,†. The following quote originates from the infamous novel, 1984 by George Orwell. The significance of this popular quote was to display an example of the action of doublethink. Doublethink is the act of having two contradictory thoughts at the same time and believing both are true. Doublethink plays an influential role in the novel, 1984. The novel takes place in a super-state by the nameRead More1984 Doublethink Analysis1497 Words   |  6 Pages1984 Connection: In 1984, George Orwell illustrates a dystopian society in which he emphasizes the influential contribution of language to the psychological manipulation the Party imposes. Specifically, through the concept of Doublethink, Orwell highlights the ironic names of the Partys ministries as means to euphemize what they actually are. From the very beginning of the novel, it is revealed how the Party characterizes the faà §ade that The Ministry of Truth, which concerned itself with newsRead More1984 Doublethink Essay885 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"War is peace, Freedom is slavery, Ignorance is strength,† (Orwell 26). In George Orwell’s book, 1984, the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in mind and being forced to accept them, is â€Å"doublethink†. The government of Oceania, also called the Party, uses psychological operant conditioning to brainwash their citizens to keep control over them. The truth can only be proven by consensus of majority meaning if millions believe it , they too should believe it. The act of thinking freely is consideredRead MoreWe Are Living 1984 Today668 Words   |  3 PagesWe Are Living 1984 Today Today’s society is predicted as living in a world George Orwell envisioned in 1984. The system Orwell invented is compared to what the United States government is capable of doing. Government control of society is an essential subject due to the current mind set of the world today. In 1984, George Orwell represents how Big Brother is compared to today’s government, showing the consequences and dangers of a government with unlimited surveillance power. Big Brother isRead MoreGeorge Orwell s Brave New World938 Words   |  4 PagesComparison of Two Governments What are the main differences and similarities in how the government in the novel 1984 and the government in the novel Brave New World control the citizens of their society? Both government are tyrannical types of governments with total control over their people. The two novels have many differences and similarities in the methods the government uses to control the people, they use methods such as psychological manipulation, torture, emotional oppression, and t. TheRead More1984 Dystopian Society Essay1212 Words   |  5 PagesEnvision the presence living in a dystopian society - where citizens are watched day-and-night. George Orwell’s novel 1984, written in 1949, depicts and illustrates the future of the 1980’s. Orwell imagined the world in which totalitarianism reigned, individualism is dead, and history is just sentiment. The world diverged into three superstates: Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. With protagonist Winston Smith and the citizens of Oceania, they have experienced the impression, having to live life behindRead More A Comparison of George Orwells Totalitarian World of 1984 and America in 2004763 Words   |  4 PagesWorld of 1984 is America in 2004 Orwells allegorical critique of Stalinism in 1984 is often used in capitalist nations as a poignant literary attack on Communism and other collectivist economic and political systems. The argument often follows the lines of This is socialism, and as you can see, it doesnt work and just leads to oppression. Were in a nice capitalist democracy, therefore we are better off. But is that conclusion the truth? Orwell didnt just intend 1984 as anRead MoreThe True Lesson Of 1984963 Words   |  4 Pages1984 is a renowned dystopian novel that depicts an oppressive, dark English society where English socialism is fervently adopted by the central government, also known as the Big Brother. However, the fundamental notion of this political philosophy, which is to â€Å"overcome the greed, waste, competitiveness, and inequality† as described in the article The True Lessons of 1984, are distorted and trimmed down into three sacred principles: Newspeak, Doublethink and Mutability of the past. The incidentalRead MoreTotalitarianism In 1984 By George Orwell1387 Words   |  6 Pageswere unnamed and not fully explained, so Orwell took it upon himself to do so. Conceiving of the phrases, NEWSPEAK and DOUBLETHINK, Orwell was seeking to highlight and criticize the cognitive bad habits that people were falling into. Despite Orwell’s warning, NEWSPEAK and DOUBLETHINK continue to plague public thought, particularly political and online discussion. In the world of 1984, the various nations have grown together into three super states, each ruled by a totalitarian government composed of