Why is it hard to stand up for what you believe ?

It is my "belief" or understanding that people will never do anything they do not "want" or feeling like they need to do. The other side of that is people will always do what they "believe" that they need to do, this I call "want." Therefore, if someone does something, or does not do something, it is because they either want to or does not want to. Therefore, if somebody does not stand up for what they believe, then they do not feel they need to, or they do not believe that expressing those beliefs in that situation. As one philosopher said, there is a dirrect relationship between "belief" and action, I agree with this, and take this to mean somebody will do something they base on their belief, in other words, if somebody do something, they did it because they believe it was the benificial thing to do in that situation. Most importantly to your question, it is important to remember that there is a diffrence between, believing in something, and believing in the expression of that idea. Now, one can agrue that if someone "really" believe in someone, they will opening express that belief, however, think about a football coach whom believe his underdog team can win a team, he will tell his team that in the looker room but he most likely won't say anything in the media, for he does not want a "traget" on his back, or do does not want to give the other team more reason to want to win. In conclusion, there are times people belief they must express their belief, and there are other times they believe they do not have to express that believe. The jugdment on when to do which, is completely subjective, and irrelevant to welther they believe it so not. Think about this, using this reasoning, it is possible for a person that is truely racist, to speak out against racism....how? If you read this post, you can tell me

Think about this, using this reasoning, it is possible for a person that is truely racist, to speak out against racism....how? If you read this post, you can tell me

I have met many who speak out against this and that and they are the first ones who do not believe it.

It might be the most frightening thing for many humans, standing up for what is right. Most everybody in their life has came to a point where they have to either stand up for what is right or they have to do the opposite. I find it hard for many people I see everyday. My question is why is it so hard for people to stand up for what's right and also for what they believe ?

I think it depends on the topic, really. It's easy to stand up when the topic at hand is silly and generally meaningless. It's only when it really matters that there seems to be a problem, such as instances of bullying, or being taken advantage of.

In cases like bullying, or speaking out against some kind of behavior that you feel to be inappropriate, I imagine that one of the reasons it is difficult is because you know you are greatly outnumbered by the people you are speaking against. You may also be afraid that doing so will put you in the same group as the victim, and the negative attention might be turned on you. Perhaps your friends are involved, and you are afraid that if you say something you might lose them? In more personal cases, however, I think the problem lies with self-confidence/doubt. For instance, if someone is taking advantage of you (especially if it is a friend or family member) you may find yourself worrying that you are misinterpreting their actions. Maybe you're reading too much into the situation? It's already substantially more awkward and difficult to say something negative to someone you care about than it is to say it to someone you don't, and that's without factoring in the possibility that you may be wrong and just end up insulting them.

In cases like bullying, or speaking out against some kind of behavior that you feel to be inappropriate

Entirely agree

I imagine that one of the reasons it is difficult is because you know you are greatly outnumbered by the people you are speaking against.

Not necessarily. You may be speaking only against one person, but those around you will not your take your side, they will take the side of the bullier.

Not necessarily. You may be speaking only against one person, but those around you will not your take your side, they will take the side of the bullier.

I agree. I just kind of bunched all those people together in the "if you're not with me, you're against me" sense haha

Good question. Because what you believe in may not be right, and I often feel that humans may not be able to get certain clarity. I mean humans may not arrive to clear undertanding. And our ideas may change as time progresses. And we may not be able to define what philosophy is. Why are we here? Why do we live in this earth? Is there a purpose? The question may not be a rational one. Maybe that is because humans have emotions or desires. But I feel it is better for us to drop our thoughts. It is like a cup, if the cup is full, it cannot add new water. If we clear away our thoughts, then, maybe we can become less rigid and more creative. So, the idea of no mind is important to me.

Because what you believe in may not be right, and I often feel that humans may not be able to get certain clarity.

This depends on the individual. There are many who care less and even though what they believe in is not right, they will have no trouble sticking by it.