Description

We learn the word ‘fair’ at an early age and we carry the idea throughout life. But it’s a vague, elusive ideal. Equality, reciprocity, compassion, law, etc. can all define fairness differently. What happens when different notions of fairness collide, when my ‘fairness’ doesn’t match yours? When we don’t get what we think we deserve? We all consider ourselves fair and we don’t believe we deserve to be treated unfairly. Perceived unfairness is often the basis for political conflict. Do our rights, rewards, status, etc. match what we consider fair, or are we victims of unfairness?

Tom Dhanens, PhD, is a clinical psychologist who practiced in the midwest for 45 years. He had an office practice and did hospital and community agency consultations. He was the sole staff neuropsychologist at Trinity Medical Center in Illinois for 30 years, evaluating dementia and stroke patients. Earlier, he was director of a community mental health center in Wisconsin. Since retiring to New Mexico, he has published Why Argue? The Psychology of Arguments.