Can you then judge someone elses reality?

Question

If reality is the result of our perceptions.

Is this the way to truly understand someone, by understanding their perceptions that make their reality?

I would rather understand, than judge...but that's not the way general society works.

This question was generally aimed at "how can we *better understand others", and is this a good way to do that?

Answer 1

Why would you want to? Human perception is far from accurate. We all delude ourselves in a variety of ways. Your reality is not my reality.

Answer 2

If reality were the result of perception, then perhaps it would be wrong to judge. However, this is not the case, perception is how we view reality, but not what causes reality.
Reality is what exists when delusions and fantasies, and false ideas are taken away.
Therefore, reality to you is exactly the same as reality to me, although we might perceive it differently.

Answer 3

Yes, judging is fallacious because it presupposes that you are able to perceive anothers reality accurately - which our learned ego is incapable of.

However, if you are able to transcend ego misperception - the ego only perceives what it already "believes" to be true, projecting its deficiencies onto others and its attributes onto entities (government, church, etc) - you will be able to better understand and even help change the reality we share.

Unless you choose a profession that requires immersion in others perceptions (psychiatry, medical missionary type, dedicated teacher, diplomat), it is NOT necessary to delve deeply into the misperceptions of others (ego level) in order to understand and help them. You just can't be at the mercy of your own misperceptions. And even psychiatrists, etc. MUST have detachment and a disinterested ego in order to "be open" to insight and offer the best assistance.

But, regarding your question - Is understanding others perceptions a better way than "judging?" Absolutely.

Answer 4

The only individual who knows what an individual perceives
is the individual themself who is doing the observing.
It is not possible for a third party to know what an individual
is perceiving as reality because the individual might
pre-occupied or delusional. The controversy of judgement
as it applies to this context is a debate between intent
and action. Perhaps the most efficient means for
determining intent is to observe many representative
actions. To pass judgement on a single action and
attach it to intent is folly. If an individual participates in
a punishable crime then the individual deserves to
be punished, but if the action is not representative
of intent then the individual's intent shouldn't be measured
on that sole action. Unfortunately, sometimes good people
do deserve to go to prison to compensate for the
consequences of the crime/action, and many good people
would admit to this fact if they found themself as the
subject of penalization.

Answer 5

A great modern healer and therefore teacher from Hawaii has had an incredible success rate with criminally insane inmates following these two easy steps.
He looks over their personal files in his office, tries to find in which way he has the same faults or as near the same as possible, apologizes saying `I am sorry` and then, `I love you` in a sincere way. That is all. He says that it works because we basically are all ONE.
Could be something to the saying, Judge not that ye not be judged, right?
Anyone brave enough to give it a try? Just for fun. Could be the most important gamble of your entire life. Cheers

Answer 6

I don't worry too much about other people's reality. I have enough trouble with my own. Some things are pretty concrete. Most of us will agree on concrete things like the sky is blue or 16 degrees outside is cold. There are instances where one person's reality is not another's. For instance, Picasso was a great artist. Our reality can be affected by education and the opinion of others. The important thing is that you learn to think for yourself. Don't accept dogma or political ideas blindly. Discover for yourself.

If you are trying to understand others, try empathy. Put yourself in their place and then imagine how things must seem to them. This is a very helpful thing to be able to do, and I think we all should try it before we judge anyone.

Answer 7

No... technically every single person on this planet lives in there own little world! Yes..... the world revolves around each and every one of us! Whenever we do anything voluntarily we do it to make ourselves feel better, therefore thinking only about ourselves... for. exam.. Charity.. People say they do it to help others? It may help others... but the true meaning is to make the giver feel better!! Reality the giver is doing it more for him than other people! Everything is about me to me and you to you! Enjoy life! Do what pleasures you!

Answer 8

Yes you are free to be judgmental but it may not make sense to judge someone else's reality. First, you gotta step in his/her shoes to understand the reality of that person. Premature judgment is not healthy.

Answer 9

How can you not - if your reality is the result of your how you judge and categorize your perceptions?

Answer 10

I beleive how we as individuals- independent from another, is our reality. How we percieve is our reality.I think to think upon the realities of understanding others reality.