Comments on ~~~ BLOGGER'S JUDGDEMENT OR JUDGEMENTAL BLOGGER? ~~~

Go to HORUS' INSIGHTS Add a commentGo to ~~~ BLOGGER'S JUDGDEMENT OR JUDGEMENTAL BLOGGER? ~~~

I like your approach.

To make an accurate judgement every single time we must first be able to identify that in which we set for judging. Without it there will always be a rush in judgements.

posted by amazman on November 28, 2004 at 12:20 AM | link to this | reply

ExStud2006, KlaraRobert, and L.E.Gant

seem to agree on this point: we can judge without pre-judice.

Horus has to say that it is possible to reach a degree of "non-prejudicial" judgement but this will never be absolute and the only reason that we can evaluate objectively it is because we agree (at a specific time, in a specific world) about the thing.

That's also why Horus thinks that knowledge is possible. At the same time, I would be very careful to play in the stocks convinced that I can evaluate with absolute objectivity...

posted by Luxbring on November 27, 2004 at 9:32 AM | link to this | reply

I agree wholeheartedly with L.E.Grant. Being aware of our subjectivity -- or metathinking, being conscious of the limitations on our consciousness -- is possibly what distinguishes us from animals and renders us able to mitigate and reform, if not wholly abolish, our prejudices.

posted by Dyl_Pickle on November 27, 2004 at 5:53 AM | link to this | reply

Horus: The quick answer is that we can modify the filters consciously, but it takes knowing what our beliefs are, including the assumptions we make. Getting rid of them entirely, though, is probably not possible; making them relatively transparent is.

posted by L.E.Gant on November 27, 2004 at 2:34 AM | link to this | reply

KlaraRobert

I can accept that we aim at objectivity in an informed judgement of what it is; this is also what we could call a scientific judgement. But here, we enter in a quite controversal realm. I am happy to be able to state the following: even at a "lower level", the perception level, we are "interpreting" what we perceive; our body is the first filter - and this is unvoidable. So, I see a solution in the search for an agreement of what it is, small agreements though.... THANKS for reading and commenting.

posted by Luxbring on November 26, 2004 at 6:54 PM | link to this | reply

I think nonjudgmentalism is overrated. Anti-prejudice is one thing -- it says make informed judgments or none at all. But for anti-prejudice to be helpful, it requires that people evaluate ideas and, to some extent, the character of the people who put them forth. As you say, judgment is inevitable. The issue is not judging or not judging, but judging in an informed and rational way. We do so with varying degrees of subjectivity; I agree that complete objectivity is impossible, because we are part of the reality we are judging.

posted by Dyl_Pickle on November 26, 2004 at 5:27 PM | link to this | reply

Agree with LE somewhat on this one, Horus. It's much easier to talk about
being nonjudgmental rather than to practice it. The very basis of one of the longest used psychoanalytical models is the Gestalt model, which in essence explains how each individual views the same set of circumstances differently than all others, based on the use of past experiences and long held beliefs. A great post, though as usual.

posted by KlaraRoberts on November 26, 2004 at 4:37 PM | link to this | reply

L.E.Gant,

thanks for reading and commenting.  Even though you moved the problem a step ahead in relation to my post, my question to you becomes: do you really believe that our "pre-judgements (prejudices)"can be totally eliminated so that we will able to see the "reality without filters"?

posted by Luxbring on November 26, 2004 at 11:49 AM | link to this | reply

Hmmm.

Interesting thought. However, I tend to believe that we perceive reality through a series of filters. Those filters are what you are calling "judgements". It's the difference bewteen "Seeing what you believe" and "Believing what you see" (or "seeing is believing" and "believing is seeing").

Most people see what they believe, which is after the filters have taken out everything which does not fit with their belief system. It's not judgement, but it is definitely a pre-judgement (prejudice). Much more dangerous than coming to a conclusion based on fact.

There are few people who can overcome their belief systems and "see" without the filters

posted by L.E.Gant on November 26, 2004 at 11:42 AM | link to this | reply