A presumption of good intent
Civilised society rests upon a simple convention: we generally assume that other people mean well. We presume honesty before dishonesty. Good faith before bad faith. Error before malice.
It is a useful habit. Indeed, it is probably a necessary one.
Without such a presumption, trust becomes impossible and human affairs descend into perpetual suspicion.
Readers therefore occasionally — often — express disbelief that Charlotte Kok could truly be the person depicted throughout these pages.
Such scepticism is understandable.
The Editor began from precisely the same presumption.
What the facts suggest…
Let us assume, for the moment, that Charlotte’s intentions were always honourable.
Let us assume every inconsistency was accidental: Every omission inadvertent. Every allegation sincerely believed. Every contradiction an unfortunate misunderstanding.
Let us grant Charlotte every conceivable benefit of every conceivable doubt.
Having done so, we arrive at a question.
The same question, in fact, with which we began.
Is this a person of good character?
Leave a comment