Are we DESTROYING society through a false sense of SELF-ESTEEM

by Terry 84 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  Terry

  If a Rebublican changes ship and becomes a Democrat, then the "truth" about what that person is has shifted. If I believe in some Democratic principles and some Rebuplican principles (which is in fact the case), then am "I" a Democrat or a Republican?

  Context again.

  Democrats differ from Republicans based on their core principles of how large a role Government plays in society.

  The context of the above descriptions is differentiating one party from another. In other words: group identity.

  You, as one person, may embrace a core principle one day and replace it with its opposite the next if persuaded to do so based on your values. You have the same fingerprints, blood type, facial features, DNA and shoe size no matter which political party you join.

  The context of that is individual identity.

  Now, are you going to pretend there is no difference in contexts?

  You continue to play the game of context dropping, shifting and deflection.
• 

  changeling

  I believe in encouraging people and in giving them a pat on the back when deserved. I don't believe in "blowing smoke up their skirt".

  I have indeed seen people with over inflated self esteem (or was it narcissism?) and wondered: "Where did that come from? Did their parents tell them they walked on water? Are they on a manic high? Did no one ever point out that they really can't sing, dance, write, etc.?

  I think it's important for all of us to recognize our strengths as well as our weakneses. However, when pointing out a weakness, I think we should be tactful and not crush a person's spirit in the process.

  By the way, was anyone else shocked that Terry watches American Idol? LOL

  changeling :)
• 

  Terry

  You mislabel TRUTH. You say truth "changes from moment to moment as do our perspectives and our judgements." This is like saying a race car changes position on the racetrack and therefore cannot be called the same car at the start of the race as it is at each stage up until the end of the race.

  Mathematical measurements of space and time, such as the position of race car, are not what I'm referring to. Those may indeed be constants. I don't presume to know enough of physics to argue this point. However, the flaw in your logic, I believe is in trying to apply such mathematical constants to the fluidity of human nature.

  I spoke not one whit about mathematical constants.

  I simply stated that a race car remains a race car regardless of your position in viewing it (place) or what time it is during the race (time).

  The end of the race is when and where the race car "becomes" a winner or not. Context is everything.

  The flaw in your logic is that of distinctions detached from context lose meaning. Stay with the premise and you'll be fine.
• 

  Terry

  You are making this error because you trivialize identity. You confuse the status of a thing with its nature.

  I do trivialize "identity". I do not confuse the status of a thing with it's nature though. In fact, it is you who did that when you lumped in "the ignorant" with those with intrinsic organic illnesses. For ignorance can certainly be a temporary state. It is not someone's nature or identity. What I am suggesting is many of these "identities" you labelled people with (slacker, talented, etc), are in fact not their natures at all, but "status" labels of society.

  On the contrary, that is exactly what you are up to!

  To be ignorant is to not know. This is independant of society's label.

  Look at the context of my use of "ignorant"

  Educated vs Ignorant

  One does not become educated by organic illness or organic health---does one? Effort is the context. Effort, application, desire and ambition are contrasted with the LACK of same.

  Context is all important.

  You continue to go off on irrelevent tangents.
• 

  Terry

  By the way, was anyone else shocked that Terry watches American Idol?

  I have watched every season.

  Guess which judge is my favorite and why.
• 

  changeling

  Could it be...Simon??? Could it be because he "tells it like it is"?

  Actually, he's my favorite as well. I usually agree with his opinion, though not always with the delivery. This season I really disliked the "hamburger without the meat" comment he made to Brooke White. I felt he reallly crushed her.

  changeling :)
• 

  Anti-Christ

  I grew up with a false sense of self -esteem, I would get talk down to at every thing I did by my dad, I was laugh at in school and every thing I you like to do or I would think I had a talent for, my dad made sure to crush that little hope I might of have. In the same time I would look at other kids with less talent and much less things to be proud of get the praises or encouragement and end up with a lot more "success".

  Sometimes I would have a hard time understanding in class , I would lose my concentration because I was laugh at. I could not and still sometimes have a hard time evaluating my real potential because of all the others around me would receive praises or have "success" for things I believe they did not deserve. So I agree that certain things in our society warp our perception of the reality of our potential.
• 

  cognizant dissident

  Democrats differ from Republicans based on their core principles of how large a role Government plays in society.

  The context of the above descriptions is differentiating one party from another. In other words: group identity.

  You, as one person, may embrace a core principle one day and replace it with its opposite the next if persuaded to do so based on your values. You have the same fingerprints, blood type, facial features, DNA and shoe size no matter which political party you join.

  The context of that is individual identity.

  Now, are you going to pretend there is no difference in contexts?

  I see that you continue to take your individual and group "identity(s) very seriously Terry. Well, if you enjoy to stay firmly entrenched in the little boxes with labels you have created for yourself and other people and insist that they are "real", I shan't try to talk you out of them anymore.
• 

  sammielee24

  Warped sense of ABILITY from inaccurate self-esteem!

  People who have been made to feel PERFECTLY ABLE to do what they cannot do OVERESTIMATE their worth.

  I don't know that your designation of worth or ability or self esteem is necessarily the correct one. Most certainly, we can watch AI and see the odd clown get up there and ruin the song, but does that mean that they have an overestimated sense of their worth? Not always. In a way you seem like you want to say that if it be judged that you aren't good at something, you should stand in the corner and never try - that is contrary to the social condition that says you must try because that is our basis for value. Your place in many societies is based on your worth - your worth is seen in value - your value is often based on dollars. That is why people aspire to 'be'. If you do not encourge people to 'be' then you devalue them based on your idea of what their worth is from what you see. Are we too politically correct? Most certainly. Are we destroying society through a false sense of self esteem? I don't think we are - sw
• 

  changeling

  I think Terry is taking a break and watching "Nashville Star". It's a cheesy, country version of American Idol and it's on right now. I don't care for country music on a good day, but this show is the pits.

  changeling :)