Why does the Western culture turn every little thing into a competition and pit man vs. man? (for example: Yahoo!Answers point system)
2006-07-27 02:26:50 · 6 answers · asked by Dynergy 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I'm not really sure, but I think part of the explanation would be our individualistic outlook on life. Western culture places less emphasis on group membership than individual characteristics, relative to most other cultures.
As such, we are less likely to value ourselves for the relationships we have and are more likely to value ourselves for our independent achievements. For example, a person in a more communal culture might find great happiness in being part of a large, strong family or a member of a prestigious school. To a Westerner, these would both be good things, but they would still want more. They would need to be the favorite child of the family, or the best student at the school, to find the same amount of fulfillment another person might have just from belonging to those groups.
Another component of this trend is a Western sense that fairness requires a person's status to match their achievements. When judging people, we generally prefer to look at what they've DONE rather than who they know or what group they belong to.
Hope that helps.
2006-07-27 02:45:04 · answer #1 · answered by timm1776 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Competition forces people to do their very best and excel at their endeavors. Without that attitude of excellence, there would be no scientific advancements.
Now, I'm not certain if competition is the cause or the effect of scientific advancements, but I do know that we would still be living in the stone age if people didn't advance in their achievements, and without compitition, most (er -many?) people would become unproductive.
We compete on the job for the best pay by doing better than the next guy; scientists may compete for a nobell prize by trying to discover or invent something new and helpful, etc, etc.
2006-07-27 09:32:35 · answer #2 · answered by no1home2day 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it were not for people with a competitive spirit, we would not have the technological advances we have today to make our lives easier. Imagine how far along we would be, if everyone wants the next guy to do something first, instead of getting out there and hustling.
2006-07-27 09:32:20 · answer #3 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Capitalism teaches society to be that way.
2006-07-27 09:30:07 · answer #4 · answered by T Time 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It makes it more fun... like a game.
2006-07-27 09:30:15 · answer #5 · answered by Mama R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cause we're #1....
.... just kidding
maybe the capitalism, darwinian thing.
2006-07-27 09:30:55 · answer #6 · answered by shazam 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋