Fossil Wiki:Assume good faith



Assuming good faith is a fundamental principle on the Fossil Wiki. Most people try to help the project, not hurt it. If this were false, a project like the Fossil Wiki would be doomed from the beginning.

When disagreement occurs, explain yourself using talk pages, and give others the opportunity to do the same. Consider whether a dispute stems from different perspectives and look for ways to reach consensus.

What constitutes good faith? Generally, it means the following:


 * No intention of malice.
 * People trying their best to do their best.
 * People trying their best to do their best for the greater good of the community.
 * Friendliness, honesty, caring.

So, when you can reasonably assume that something is a well-intentioned error, correct it without just reverting it or labeling it as vandalism. When you disagree with someone, remember that they probably believe that they are helping the project. Consider using talk pages to explain yourself, and give others the opportunity to do the same. This can avoid misunderstandings and prevent problems from escalating. Remember, just because you believe you are right, doesn't mean that someone else doesn't have an equally important opinion about something &mdash; always try and find that middle ground.

Assuming good faith is about intentions, not actions. Well-meaning people make mistakes (yes, that means even you), and you should correct them when they do. What you should not do is act like their mistake was deliberate. Correct them, but don't scold &mdash; just because you might have been editing longer, doesn't mean in the least that you are "superior" to anyone in any way. Remember, respect is earned &mdash; not demanded. So, in closing, keep in mind that there will always be people on any wiki, including Duty & Valour, that you may disagree with. Even if they're wrong, that doesn't mean they're trying to wreck the site.