Philosophy Discussion Forums

Do we pay attention to the contradiction in our lives and give it the attention it deserves? Why do we do things that we know are inappropriate, foolish, and not good for us. Why do we frequently do the opposite of what we say? Why do we violate our own values? What can we do to eliminate the contradiction in our lives?

I think we contradict ourselves and our values because we wish we were better than we are. We aspire to be something better than we are now. I know at least speaking for myself I could be a better man than I am. I think most everyone if they are honest can say the same.

We can both know what and who we are and hold a vision of what we aspire to be…..Is that not how we ever become better?

-- Updated May 20th, 2017, 3:50 am to add the following --

As for how we know what we must do. You already know what you must change. Now the question is is it worth it to put in the sacrifice to actually do that? Only you can answer that question there is no quick fix.

Grotto19 –

I think we contradict ourselves and our values because we wish we were better than we are. We aspire to be something better than we are now. I know at least speaking for myself I could be a better man than I am. I think most everyone if they are honest can say the same.

We can both know what and who we are and hold a vision of what we aspire to be…..Is that not how we ever become better?

That is one possibility. What about when we know it is wrong to overeat, smoke, lie, or gossip, yet do it?

Grotto19 –

As for how we know what we must do. You already know what you must change.

Can we really change what we don't understand or know what is causing the contradiction?

Grotto19 –

Now the question is is it worth it to put in the sacrifice to actually do that? Only you can answer that question there is no quick fix.

I agree. Whether we do it or not is based upon our desire and commitment to be a better person.

Do we pay attention to the contradiction in our lives and give it the attention it deserves? Why do we do things that we know are inappropriate, foolish, and not good for us. Why do we frequently do the opposite of what we say? Why do we violate our own values? What can we do to eliminate the contradiction in our lives?[quote][/quote]

No, we do not pay attention to the contradiction in our lives from the onset because it takes time for a human being to develop. By the time we do develop, we might have fallen into habitual behaviors that actually contradict the ideal or our ideals, so they are too difficult to change. Language is also habit forming and the ideas it forms have conditioned us to that extent that we do not necessarily view these contradictions. The individuals that compose the society that shapes us contradict themselves, but many do not realize this, thus we inadvertently learn to do the same. Also, life is so full of inexperience, uncertainty, gaps in knowledge, change, miscommunication, misinformation, etc., that we are set up to being described as contradictory.

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