Concept in Definition ABC

It is said that someone maintains a neutral position with respect to something or someone when their assessment it is objective and impartial. If a person has to give their opinion on some matter, their approach It presents three possible options: express its favorable and approving criteria, express its partial or total rejection of the matter in question and, finally, pronounce itself in a neutral way. In the latter case, their position is disinterested, neither for nor against.

Judges, referees and teachers must remain neutral

On a regular basis we are faced with events that we like or dislike and, based on this, we make one judgment or another.

However, certain professions imply the need to maintain a neutral criterion. When a judge assesses some facts, the only criterion that must be considered to issue a legal opinion is the law, since his personal view of the facts judged is inadmissible. In this sense, the judge must renounce any type of prejudice or subjective view that could disturb his final decision.

In a sporting activity, the referee cannot perform his task from subjectivity either, since the only reference to assess the actions of the athletes must be the regulation sports.

In the case of a teacher, if he has to evaluate his students, he must do so with objective, rigorous and impartial parameters, in such a way that his personal opinion about a student does not prevent you from scoring him correctly.

The problem of neutrality

In principle, it might seem that the neutral position is the most reasonable. In some cases, it is not only reasonable but absolutely necessary. However, neutrality is sometimes counterproductive. Let's imagine the following joint: in a country all kinds of attacks by the human rights.

Faced with this situation, the international community can adopt two positions:

1) Actively intervene in that country to prevent abuses and injustices or

2) not intervene when considering that it is necessary to remain neutral in internal matters.

If the second path is chosen, it is very possible that all kinds of injustices will continue to be committed. This simple example serves to remind us that a neutral position is not always desirable.

Net neutrality

One of the areas where the problem of neutrality is revealed is online. In this sense, there are two opposing positions. While some argue that the network should be a totally neutral platform and without any type of barriers that hinder the information, others understand that net neutrality is a source of conflict and, therefore, it is necessary to incorporate mechanisms of control.

There is currently a debate globally on the convenience of implementing legal norms to regulate net neutrality.

Photos: Fotolia - biker3 / maxximmm

Topics in Neutral