The Perils of Under-Simplification

One of the frequent charges brought against Barry Goldwater is of oversimplification. We live, according to the indictment, in a complicated world. The issues that confront us are not black or white but various shades of gray. We must make subtle distinctions and graduated responses. It is not only ignorant but dangerous to present matters as if it were just a simple question of one thing or the other, Yes or No.

This criticism is effective in reinforcing anti-Goldwater attitudes and is often troubling to pro-Goldwater inclinations. It reflects a confusion basic to the Liberal syndrome—between knowledge and choice, intellect and will—and a semantic confusion, also, between “simple” and “easy.”