Relativism and Imposition
Relativism: Came across this reading and it says that "relativism is the idea that different people live in different worlds, whether because they have different minds, different shared systems of beliefs and norms (known as cultural relativism) or different languages (linguistic relativism).
Many people do not understand this concept of relativism or it may be more appropriate to say that whilst people can understand the concept, they do not appreciate it. I have always held on to the belief that I shall not impose my ideas and beliefs on another person. Many conflicts occur because people try to impose their supposedly right ideologies onto others who may not share the same view. Mundane stuffs like parents and children disagreeing on issues to more complex and serious conflicts such as the Americans claiming democracy is good and therefore the people of Iraq will be better off with a whole new democratic social system. All these are examples of how conflicts arises beacuse people try to impose their ideas on others.
I'm not trying to say that one cannot have their own view and develop their own ideas. You definitely can. However, is it right to impose your ideas on others who doesn't share the same system of beliefs as you do? Everyone is guilty of this, and that includes me as well. We are so comfortable with saying "You must do this and this and this... not that." So much so that it becomes natural to do so whenever you feel that you have the expertise in a particular area.
I know of people who are truly self-motivated. They know what they want to achieve and goes about reaching for their goals. Nothing's wrong with that. But it just pisses me off when they come up to you and say "Hey wilbert, you should do this this this. Why aren't you doing it? That's how you should lead your life. Oh you cant do this this this. tsk tsk Its not right. you are ruining it..." Well, you might be right... But this is my life man.... you go ahead and do what you believe in.... don't tell me what to do with mine cos its my life ... not yours.
I do appreciate advices, and I really do need them sometimes. But those people aren't giving advices. They ridicule and despise you if you do not subscribe to their ideas. They believe that there's only a set of ideas that is right and that's the set of ideas they believe in. Everything else is wrong. (That's what they call setting up a binary oppostion in communication studies.)
Just to make things clear, I'm not saying:
1) We can't have our own beliefs. We can but keep it our own.
2) We should not give advice. We can but keep that as advices not an imposition of beliefs. Let your friends hear different opinions but let them decide for themselves.
3) We can't make remarks about others. Hmm this is a tough one... cos close frens of mine will tell you how much of a ahem person i am.... ahem... (scared of sedition act...cant be too explicit).... Eh... ok lah remarks wise... no comments... cos I'm guilty of it but I'm trying to change for the better. :D
What I'm saying is:
1) Understand that there are all sorts of people.
2) Different people have different opinions and priorities.
3) What's right for you might not be right for others.
4) Do not scorn and despise others who do not share the same belief.
Yup... so thats about all. Not sure if i am making sense here lol but I'm not telling you guys to believe and practise this relativism thingy... cos that's just going against it isn't it?? lol So just read and take it as another point of view... a view that's coming from ya fren's position. Cheers.
ps: i'm normally not that crappy ... LOL
posted by Wilbert @ 8:52 PM
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