Why are so many people so hypocritical these days?

Question

Is it an inert part of human nature or has society moulded us in this way?

Is it just the way the mind works?

Or is it something deeper?

Do you think humans have always been hypocritical?

Also, how can I learn to accept hypocrisy as a part of reality when every time I see it I feel a sense of complete and total despair?

Answer 1

I think this question has probably stemed out of your question yesterday about breaking the speed limit and the responses you got??

I think being hypocritical is something to do with how the mind works but also how people justify certain things in their mind to be acceptable.

I will admit, I have broken the speed limit. Quite a few times, especially when I was younger, I broke it quite dramatically. If I had have got caught I would almost certainly have had my licence taken away. Nowadays, I do occassionally, creep slightly over the speed limit. I also so this occassionally when I have my son in the car. I can give you every excuse under the sun as to why I do accidentally do this sometimes but ultimately I accept it is totally wrong and any consequences of this would be totally down to me. We all make our own choices.

I wouldn't have left my son like the McCanns left their children. Definately not. Does that make me a hypocrite? IF I am one, I can live with it.

I think I am wrong for speeding in my car. I think the McCanns are wrong for leaving their children. Is there a difference between the two? Probably not, the consequences of both can be equally as devastating.

I fully support the search for Madeleine and I can imagine how her parents must be feeling. BUT, I still think they would have a much more positive following if they stood up and said "You know what?! We shouldn't have left our kids, we thought it was ok, but you know what, it wasn't. If anyone learns anything from our mistake, then please do not leave your children like we did".

Interested to hear what you think.

Answer 2

It's sort of like saying, "fine," when asked, "how are you," eventhough you have a roaring headache. Sometimes it's just easier to say what you think people around you want to hear than start some sort of argument that nobody can win.

Society in every culture puts pressure on the individual to fit in, and all of us at one time or another succumbs to that pressure, and we just go along with the crowd eventhough we privately feel we are being dishonest with ourselves.

One would hope that each of us can grow enough backbone to stand up for what we really know or believe to be right and true when the chips are down.

It's hard to shave or brush your teeth when you know the person looking back at you in the mirror is weak or a liar.

Answer 3

Having a different view or opinion does not always mean people are hypocrite's .

On yahoo we are all ages ,.have different levels of intelligence and are from all walks of life .

For me too many people generalise on this site . Don't always tie people with the same brush . My view might be similar to some one else's but that doesn't mean i will agree with the next thing they say . Treat us as individuals rather than the masses.

Answer 4

I think humans have always been hypocritical. (Of course not all, just some). Humans today have the same emotions they did 5000 years ago. We are no different from them except we have electric toys to play with and for the most part, do not have to work as hard as they did.

Answer 5

Ssociety moulded us this way, so you've come upon the answer, by guessing, and now the solution is we have to change soceity to positive. Each person in the world is created to enjoy the rich and diverse universe, of people, culture's, value's, and growth. Hypocrisy is enviousness on a mass scale, so that anyone you see devalue's you in spite of your enormous intellectual capability's and inquireing mind. If you value yoursef, you will continue to question everything and someday you will find peace harmony justice and other positive's. It could be today go for it

Answer 6

Being hypocritical is more prominent today because we're required to be politically correct in lieu of expressing true feelings. Hypocrisy is acting in contradiction to stated beliefs or feelings. How many people hate their jobs, are in lousy marriages, stick with friends they've outgrown and say and do nothing because they feel they have to act like everything is fine instead of moving on down the line.

Answer 7

just because something is there , doesn't mean that you have to accept it; not everyone is hypocritical and it takes a strong, real person to not be one; like a leaking pipe, drop by drop the pail gets full and overflows; start with you and by example drip drip drip ; others will follow , be patient ; be responsible for you and only you; how you live your life is what counts; you can't take the speck from someone else's eye until you remove the log from your own; live a good life

Answer 8

Remember how Shakespeare said, "To thine own self be true"? I think the reason we are hypocritical is because we are blind to our own faults. We can see everyone else's idiosyncracies, but never our own.

This is why truly great people have someone very close to them that they can always count on to tell them the truth, even when it's not what they want to hear. It keeps them accountable.

Hope that helps!

Answer 9

I was actually reading Quran yesterday and I read about hypocrites there... And as the Quran was written 15 centuries ago, I guess people have always been like that...

Answer 10

Society has alway been hypocritical - just read the newspapers.