Wikipedia:Assume the assumption of good faith Information & Wikipedia:Assume the assumption of good faith Links at HealthHaven.com

This essay contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors on the Wikipedia:Assume good faith guideline. Essays may represent widespread norms or minority viewpoints. Consider these views with discretion.

Shortcuts: WP:AAGF WP:FAITH2

This page in a nutshell: When involved in a discussion, it is best to think very carefully before citing WP:AGF.

In heated disputes, users often remind others to "Assume good faith" (AGF) whom they perceive to be doing the contrary. However, like bad faith itself, the assumption of bad faith should not be assumed merely because at first glance it might seem to be present. The AGF guideline recognizes that one can easily misjudge another's intentions or mindset, and thus urges caution in that area. Ironically, the very act of citing AGF often reflects such a rush to judgment, namely the judgment that bad faith is being assumed.

As long as you expect others not to make unwarranted assumptions about you, you should extend the same courtesy to them. While it might occasionally be helpful to inform or remind someone that the Assumption of Good Faith is expected, this should be avoided more often than not. One being told to AGF who does not see how he or she was doing otherwise is likely to feel antagonized, which will only escalate matters. Carbonite's Law tells us, "the more a given user invokes Assume good faith as a defense, the lower the probability that said user was acting in good faith." While the correctness of this statement can be disputed, it reflects the reality that constantly exhorting others to AGF is not likely to get the desired results. One who often feels the need to remind others to AGF would instead do well to look inward and consider that those others may not be the whole problem. Even if after thinking it over you remain convinced that someone is assuming bad faith, consider that they may have somewhat valid reasons for doubting that good faith is present.

In cases where you feel that someone definitely needs to be cautioned for interpersonal behavioral issues, rather than actually citing AGF consider citing a policy applicable to the situation, such as Wikipedia:No personal attacks, Wikipedia:Civility, or Wikipedia:Harassment; however, those principles can be hypocritically invoked as well, so think before reminding someone else of them.

The first rule of WP:AGF: Don't talk about WP:AGF.

[edit] See also