by Rosemary Redfern

Created on: July 19, 2010   Last Updated: July 20, 2010

The title is confusing the mathematical concept that two negatives making a plus with a moral dilemma.  Two wrongs cannot make a right, but only increase the wrongness. We like to use metaphors and comparisons to help us to understand complex issues but in this case we only confuse ourselves. 

Doing a wrong is easy and sometimes accidental.  How to put it right can pose a problem. It might appear that another wrong is the answer because it would cover up the first wrong. This is a response of desperation and perpetuates the issue. It can involve lying, which is always a problem, because then you have to remember what you said.  It is possible to delude oneself that the lie is the truth, but this is no help. Covering with another wrong creates more dark areas of the soul to be ashamed of. If you are found out the disgrace is even worse, whether on an personal or an international level. 

In fact, the courage to face up to the mistake, insult, rudeness or whatever the wrong was, is, in the long run the fastest way of clearing up the problem.  It is also for most of us the most difficult. To admit a wrong means losing face, which is not something anyone accepts with pleasure. However, after the initial fuss and embarrassment, the issue will fade away as something else grabs the attention. 

On a personal level, most of us want to live in harmony with our family, friends, work colleagues and everyone else.  We want the peace and tranquility that a clear conscience gives us.  Because life is a confusing mess of interactions with others, there is always the possibility that we fear we have offended someone, or said the wrong thing. This is life and small offenses have to be weathered.

On a national scale the matter is different and yet the same.  We need to be at peace with neighboring countries and trading partners. To do this we need to understand the cultural differences between peoples because it can be easy to commit an offense.

Circumstances can also alter perceptions of wrong. The problem the Japanese have had about apologizing to the comfort women of world war two is an example. What is done in one situation can be seen very differently in another time. Having to apologize on a national scale is an enormous issue.  The pride of the countries involved is at stake.

The courage and strength of character to ‘do the right thing’ is something which is often perceived as weakness in the general public. This is sad.

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