Discussion»Questions»Human Behavior» We see ourselves in the best possible light with the best motives/intentions and those who disagree with us as the opposite? Any exceptions?
You're so easy to get along with how could anyone not agree with thee TomT? I have in mind specifically the arenas/areas of politics and religion m'dear. Republicans see themselves in the very best light. Democrats see themselves in the very best light. Religious folks see themselves in the very best light. Atheists see themselves in the very best light. And so it goes. Thank you for your reply! :)
I am specifically thinking of the areas of politics and religion Jane. Republicans see themselves in the very best light. Democrats see themselves in the very best light. Religious folks see themselves in the very best light. Atheists see themselves in the very best light. As for other considerations I think we know our strengths and weaknesses...our successes and our failures. But when it comes to political/religious beliefs we give no quarter to anyone. We are right and they are wrong. Period. Thank you for your reply and Happy Wednesday! :)
I don't agree that we all see ourselves in the best possible light.
I disagree with your hypothesis, but I bear you no ill will.
I believe that to the extent that someone sees themselves in the best possible light, they are thinking only with their ego and being dishonest with themselves or others.
Every human is inherently flawed and makes mistakes; so a realistic person sees the whole self and not just a favourably biased view.
Actually I think the majority of people have emotional insecurities, and often carry negative self-perceptions that are worse than the person they really are. Quite often they are hiding the shame of this self-judgement behind the persona they present to the world. And the low self-esteem leaks out occasionally or often, unintentionally or deliberately.
I don't assume, when someone disagrees with me, that it is because they have a negative motive or intention. I believe that to make such an assumption is an inherently hostile attitude; if I did, it would mean that I was the one seeing the other in the worst light and expecting the worst intentions and motives of them. Rather, I trust that they hold their views genuinely and simply have a different philosophy about what is good and what works.
There are exceptions, but I don't meet them very often. When I perceive it, it's based on observing their behaviour. Some people do have very critical minds and live in a habitual state of picking fault, even if only in the privacy of their heads. It props up an insecure ego (Eric Berne - the I'm-OK/ You're-not-OK type in "Games People Play.") Or sometimes it could be a matter of power, greed or anger, in which case it will usually be obvious in the tone of the voice, choice of words, facial expressions and body language. If not obvious, it will be signalled by incongruence.
I believe most people mean well most of the time.
This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at December 29, 2016 12:59 PM MST
I am thinking of politics and religion hartfire. I bear you no ill will either. Republicans see themselves in the very best light. Democrats see themselves in the very best light. Religious folks see themselves in the very light. Atheists see themselves in the very best light. That is what I had I mind and I stand by that resolutely. Thank you for your reply.
This post was edited by RosieG at December 28, 2016 4:37 AM MST
I accept your resolution to stand by your words and views. Never having visited America, the only impressions I have come from news broadcasts, TV, film, radio (Alistair Cook's "Letters from America,) EP and aM. Personally, I rarely take what I see on the surface as the true self of anyone, especially in their public personas.
As for atheists, there I can speak, for I am one. I don't believe atheism has any effect on making a person any better or worse, either morally, or in intelligence. If you are ever interested in exploring the various points of view within atheism, you could always read something by Richard Dawkins. I will admit that he is sometimes a bit extreme - but, if your questions about faith and religion that you posted many months ago are anything to go by - I think you would find much of what he says very interesting. Atheists certainly do have strong, usually humanistic, values and ethics. (Mine are not humanistic but embrace to the whole of nature and all life as equally important.) We believe that altruism is an intrinsic social instinct evolved in nature because humans cannot survive without being mutually interdependent and function best when kind, honest and responsible towards one another. However, this does not make us any "lighter" or darker than those who follow the teachings of Zoroaster, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, Confucius, Lao Tsu, Vishnu's avatars, Buddha, Basho or any other.
This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at December 29, 2016 1:18 PM MST
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