Friday, May 08, 2009
Judgmentalism
What is it to not be judgmental of others. Is it not to believe that their actions are wrong? Is it to disassociate oneself from them because of what we think they are doing wrong? What differentiates, say, a judgmental attitude from a nonjudgmental attitude toward, say, homosexuality?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
What's "acting judgmentally" and what's "not acting judgmentally?"
Do you know?
Is your answer to that question absolute and authoritative?
How sure are you that your answer is absolute and authoritative?
Try asking such questions regarding each of the words you take for granted that you know the meaning of and examine them in light of all sorts of less than clear situations.
How subjective might philosophical terms be as well, when it comes to descriptions of human behavior and a philosophy of ethics?
Two additional questions:
"What is Good?"
"Why Be Good?"
Those who claim to have absolutist/authoritarian answers to such questions must prove their point in some way other than simply claiming that they have the authoritative/absolutist answer.
I guess Vic is asking because he is not absolutely certain and can offer no authoritative answer.
I would have thought that a non-judgmental approach would be built on grace (wanting the best for the other person and treating them accordingly), would recognise our own failings and uncertainties, and would seek to empathise and understand.
If we had those attitudes, I doubt we'd be as quick to criticise or condemn, we'd be slower to speak, and if we did speak, we would "speak the truth in love" rather than in condemnation.
So, to use your example, when relating to gays, we'd get to know them, respect them and love them in the agape sense, just as we should with anyone else. If we ever felt the need to make a comment about their sexuality, it would surely be based on that relationship of love and respect.
Post a Comment