Disclaimer: I purposefully worded this question this way to get as many responses as I could. I put it in the Religion and Spirituality section because my answer, is Pride, which according to some major world religions is a sin.
So, the polite question, What are the obstacles to people admitting that they are wrong?
2006-09-12 02:25:42 · 44 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am wrong, I am constantly wrong.... right?
2006-09-12 03:05:08 · answer #1 · answered by Katy_Kat 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a simple but deep answer for this in my opinion in the form of some quesrtions:
Who ever really searches for the constantly consistent truth?
Who will accept or embrace the constantly consistent truth when they do find it or see it a little bit?.
Most deny the constantly consistent truth even exists. They say truth is dependent on time, circumstances, view, environment, experiences, etc., etc.
I find that pure constantly consistent truth only hurts those who do not accept it. Thus if pure truth is replaced by a lie and a lie is believed one can fool himself into believing he can not be hurt or wrong. You see my friend most see its not wrong to be wrong, it is just wrong to get caught being wrong. So always deny being wrong and maybe the accuser will give up, go away, or just forget about it.
I guess its kinda like if you give someone praise you are not passing judgement but if you do critize or point a fault as you see it you are according to them being a judge. Ha Ha Its amazing how some do view circumstances and then set their own standards or concepts into place. For me both praise and being critical is a judgement call. {OH if I am wrong - I am sorry OK [see i did admit it] }
That's just my view as a "NO". For now that is the best I can do.
Do have a good day and it was a good point to think about. Thanks!
2006-09-12 15:03:46 · answer #2 · answered by cjkeysjr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a cultural thing. My ex constantly tried to tell me that Pride is my problem and on and on and on and blah, blah, blah. He said it like pride is a disgusting filthy habit. Please. I'm Mexican-American and we think Pride is a good thing. It's not an obstacle to success. It's not stubborn and it's not unyielding. Pride is personal. Why it bothers people that some of us embrace Pride, is whole 'nother chapter. Hint: It has something to do with lacking humility.
Being wrong is not shameful, nor is it a reason to kowtow. There is no need to stand up and make an announcement when you are "wrong". And there is definitely no need to get in someones face and jump on their *** just because they said something that turned out to be incorrect.
I have a lot of opinions which I don't mind sharing with anyone. I have been mistakenly accused of thinking that I know everything. I have no trouble giving my opinion, freely, because I don't care if I'm wrong. I don't think that my opinions and solutions are the best and only way of doing things. It's not even about that. An answer is just one possibility. It's the part of my voice I choose to share, at any given moment.
My polite answer to your question is: Denial.
When someone has a deep need for their belief/idea to be accurate, they cling to their ideas-even when the truth is staring them in the face.
2006-09-12 07:41:46 · answer #3 · answered by limendoz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you are right.Pride is a huge obstacle to overcome.With pride also comes a certain degree of arrogance as well. Of course I wouldn't know since the last time I was wrong about anything was back in 1983. LOL
2006-09-12 02:31:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
People don't admit to being wrong because they see it as a product of 'ego' rather than a product of learning. Being wrong helps one to learn what is right. There is no shame in being wrong, I'm wrong just like everybody else.
I think the biggest obstacle is Ego which ties into pride. Also sometimes, it can tie into beliefs like religious beliefs.
2006-09-12 08:13:33 · answer #5 · answered by genaddt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not believe that I am wrong. I will admit that I am wrong if I receive adequate evidence that I am wrong. If in the future, I have observed that a God exists, and ruled out any other possibilities I would openly admit I was wrong.
I have to draw a line somewhere though. I draw my line at all religions, while most people draw their line at religions other than their own.
Using myself as an example is about all of the information I can give you for people admitting they are wrong. Despite the lack of evidence people still believe, and I am not sure what it would take for them to admit they could be wrong (Or more than likely *are* wrong)
2006-09-12 02:32:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Self delusion is another factor besides pride that would affect a person's ability to admit errors. I have very little pride left, so I can easily say "I was wrong" or apologize, even when I think I might still be correct. LOL
2006-09-12 03:36:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that many people aren't able to see when they have made a mistake. Not to mention that they might believe themselves to be correct (especially when it comes to religion) while you or someone else might believe them to be wrong.
Some people are also strangely embarrassed to apologize when they are wrong or even to admit that they have made a mistake. In some cases (like the current president of the USA for example) some people are just unable to admit to ever making a mistake.
2006-09-12 02:29:29 · answer #8 · answered by WatersMoon110 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's exactly what I was thinking, pride is such an obstacle for many people, myself included. People don't want to admit that they can be wrong, and more importantly to me, people don't want to admit that they need help from others, they want to try and 'fix' everything on their own.
2006-09-12 02:43:10 · answer #9 · answered by ♥ Luveniar♫ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have little trouble admitting I was wrong. But Pride is the definite answer here.
2006-09-12 02:54:23 · answer #10 · answered by Diesel Weasel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can tell you I sure screwed up not long ago and now I am paying for it.
Pride goes before a fall,the word says and I don't need anymore problems,so I'll admit that I was wrong.
2006-09-12 03:08:49 · answer #11 · answered by jackiedj8952 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋