Why do people question authority and disregard rules?

Question

It seems everyone thinks the rules don't apply to them. They want to run red lights "being it is a waste of time waiting", eat on the bus, cut in line, smoke where they aren't suppose to, etc. Rules are put in place to protect us. Many people think they are intelligent enough to decide what is right and well, maybe some are, but what is right to one person, might be harmful to another. There are some people in our country that think it is ok to kill someone of a different religion or culture, so I guess since they have decided that, then it is ok for them to do it. If someone wants to run a red light because they are in a hurry and end up causing a fatal accident, that is ok because they decided to do it. Am I the only person who believes is obeying the general rules of society and who is not paranoid about the government controlling me?

Answer 1

EEEEP !!! Way toooo heavy a question for so early in the week.
Time for a two part Awns.

Think about it this way,

Firstly:
No matter how much society tells us to follow the rules and play nicely with each other we (yes, you included) tend to have a few momentary lapses of judgment each week... we might not all go out and rob some old person for their welfair check but none of us are perfect.

Now before you fly into a fit of rage please listen:

Yes, there are a lot of very under educated people who couldn't give a stuff about the rules or social conventions that we all (mostly) try to live by... The smokers in public places and the gits who refuse to give up a seat on the metro to a pregnant woman etc etc...... then there are our little woopsy's, cutting up someone on the interstate, double parking outside a post office because we are in a rush to catch the last post of the day... the list is endless and it has a knock on effect... for example, you Vex me , i am now vexed and will now vex someone else because misery loves company... and so it go's on until the whole county knows, beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is in fact MONDAY.

Second:

I hate to tell you this, you seem like a lass with her heart in the right place, MANKIND IS NOT NICE. We kill and call it war (the winners then call it a 'just' war), We rob and call it Capitalism (the third world calls it exploitation) and we convince ourselfs that we are good and kind and fluffy and call it peace keeping or nation building.... the bottom line is its still war but the name eases our guilt.

You want to make a diffrence? get elected and try to change things.... but dont hold your breath.

Answer 2

Oh, this is a good question. Like Zarathustra, I have a two-part answer, but my two parts are different from his.

First:

Only a few people actually take the time to think through the reasons for rules. For example, It is more important for an individual to get to an appointment on time than to consider that his or her speeding may be dangerous. Rules have reasons, and it takes a patient and intelligent person to calmly remember that, especially in a society where so much rule-breaking goes unpunished. Often, the most common thought about rules is : "will I be caught if I break them?" rather than, "Why is this rule here, and what does it protect?"

Second part:

We are taught, in Western society, to be individuals. We are taught that we are all perfect just the way we are and that our own ideas are good and valuable and precious. Well, perhaps this is true up to a point, but it encourages rebellion.

Does this help?

Answer 3

Some people are desperate or stupid. Others are smart enough to realize that some in authority are really stupid. George Bush comes to mind.

Other laws are without reason and SHOULD be ignored. Sodomy laws were a good example.

Answer 4

I am always paranoid about the government controlling me.

Some rules are encessary, others seem arbitrary

Answer 5

If you don't question authority you wind up with something like the Bush administration that lies to us and seeks to take away many of our freedoms.