Criticism is unavoidable

logansrun

As I've stepped off the train of a myopic Weltenschuung and entered the busy streets of competing ideas, I have come to a very interesting realization: all claims, ideas, philosophies, behaviors -- everything -- can be criticised.

It doesn't matter how good your argument is, how beneficial it might be to humanity -- it can and will be put through the machine of skepticism and kinks in the armor will become known. Criticism is unavoidable. Whether it is science, politics, health, morality, art -- there will be detractors.

This is a good thing, yet can be disconcerting. As I sit with the world before me I can only pick which ideas and philosophies are most pragmatic to the situation at hand, realizing full well that it what I choose is not perfect nor ever will be.

Bradley

sens

all claims, ideas, philosophies, behaviors -- everything -- can be criticised.

They usually are criticised by someone.

lol brad hun...you think 2 much

logansrun

Yes, I think too much. Or do I? Wait, maybe I.....

DJ

I have come to a very interesting realization: all claims, ideas, philosophies, behaviors -- everything -- can be criticised.

That is quite the epiphany Brad....

czarofmischief

Criticism, open criticism, is a bit of a shock for those of us from dubdom. We tend to see all contrary arguments as both a personal attack and indicative of a personal flaw on the part of the arguer.

So, yes, congratulations. Welcome to the world, logan. Tough gig, eh?

CZAR

Euphemism

You only just now figured that out, Brad?

Sorry, don't mean to pick on you. You are correct, of course. In fact, I'm sure that if you put your mind to it, you could come up with an argument criticizing just about anything. I mean, couldn't you?

blondie

Actually, being critical is not the same as giving criticism.

1. Inclined to judge severely and find fault.

or

2. Characterized by careful, exact evaluation and judgment: a critical reading.

That was hard for me to learn and I am still learning.

Blondie

Gopher

If all our ideas and beliefs were to go unchallenged and uncriticized, we'd never grow. Criticism (constructive or otherwise) can refine us and strengthen weaknesses in our thoughts or behaviors. Accepting and benefitting from criticism is vital to anyone's success.

Bessie Stanley (adapted; erroneously attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson):

Success
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

Phantom Stranger

Yeah, but it's too bad about how all the worlds' problems could be solved by people that are too busy driving cabs and cutting hair.

You gonna be a critic or you gonna create something?

franklin J

... as my "high brow" mother in law said once ..."if you have nothing nice to say about anyone---come and sit next to me"...

Criticism is unavoidable

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