Christianity is the religion of love and we learn to love by loving. However, it is not as simple as we would wish for clear thinking on the issue is far from common. Good manners and respect between peoples and nations are not something we take for granted or as having anything to do with love: willing the good of the other.
Some of the basics we learned as infants: 'Please', 'Thank you, 'Excuse me, 'Sorry'. In Korea years ago we heard the phrase: '지도편달' (指導鞭撻) at the end of an encounter with another who was older or considered more experienced in society— asking for encouragement, (Whipped)— with the change in society this rightly was not an appropriate response of a free fellow human being. However, development most would agree is not rudeness or lack of manners.
We are familiar with the Definition of a Gentleman by St. Cardinal John Henry Newman. The first words: "It is almost a definition of a gentleman to say he is one who never inflicts pain. This description is both refined and, as far as it goes, accurate. He is mainly occupied in merely removing the obstacles which hinder the free and unembarrassed action of those about him, and he concurs with their movements rather than takes the initiative himself."
At the end of the description of a gentleman he makes clear this has little to do with the religious beliefs of the individual, they should be the natural attainments and qualities of a correctly thinking human being.
In a Catholic Seminary curriculum, Philosophy and Logic are important subjects to learn before entering the study of Theology which are the attempts to give the students a grounding in how to think correctly.
A lack of manners can be seen as a lack of clear thinking or understanding of some basic principles of logic. This is seen often in our media and sadly not infrequently in our Catholic Media.
Some of the more common logical fallacies (failure to think correctly) are listed below.
Ad Hominem: (To the Person) one of the most common and easiest to detect is not addressing the issue but attacking the character of the other.
Non Sequitur: (Does not follow) lack of any connection between the given premises and the conclusion that follows.
Strawman fallacy: distorting or exaggerating the issue that is being discussed in some way not intended by one of the parties.
Argumentum ad populum: (Argument from the people) The majority say so therefore it must be so.
False Dilemma: Either or Thinking. Presenting only two options when there are many different choices that can be made. Black and White kind of thinking.
The different kinds of fallacies that are present in our discussions are considerable. However, 'right thinking' is presumed along with respect, humility and a desire to find the truth between people and nations.
