Bifurcation 21
concerned knows that neither is correct. Personality tests which
pose hypothetical situations always grossly underestimate
human ingenuity.
Bifurcation often occurs in a dilemma, even though the
dilemma itself is a sound form of argument.
If we import goods we send our jobs abroad; if we export goods we send
our property abroad. Since we must either export or import, we lose
either our jobs or our property.
(But it is not a black-and-white choice. We can import some things,
export others.)Lord Nelson uttered the famous cry:Westminster Abbey or victory!
(Overlooking the possibility that he might get both; or the option of
St Paul's, where he ended up.)The greatest use you can make of bifurcation is to offer a
choice limited to something very unpleasant or the course you
are advocating. Either the audience does what you suggest, or it
will be the end of all life on earth as we know it.
Either we paint the door green, or we will be mocked and ridiculed.
People will think we have no taste at all, and we'll become the laughing
stock of the whole neighbourhood. I leave the choice up to you; I'm not
trying to influence your decision one way or the other.You must learn to introduce what you consider to be the only
possible choice by saying: 'Well, ladies and gentlemen, it seems
we have two possible choices...'