Does an outsiders guidance from experience benefit, or just contribute to more confusion for the insider? Who really knows more about the situation?
2007-09-16 16:48:51 · 12 answers · asked by phoenixxgrey 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
No one has the same expeience as anyone else. People may have "similiar" experiences and can "relate" with eachother, but any type of communication loses alot in translation from experience to verbalization. So, another's similiar experieneces can vaguely help advise a person, but the vast majorityof people learn best from there own mistakes. So, the outsider may just add to the confusion, and the insider probably knows more about the situation.
2007-09-16 17:25:06 · answer #1 · answered by wylie_lester 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
In answering this properly it would have helped if you had provided your definition of what you think being an ‘outsider’ or ‘insider’ would be. Realistically, there are few people who are either fully one or the other.
If you’re wondering if perhaps a person with some inside knowledge or education or skill level can learn anything from an ‘outsider’ who lives beyond the scope of perceived insider insights then the answer, of course, would be a resounding yes.
Consider this: You could have all the knowledge in the world about art history, art theory and applied art principles and yet encounter an artist who has nothing going for him (no such knowledge and completely self-taught) except the creative originality than can not be taught in school or acquired from reading about art.
This same awakening applies to learning from self-made achievers in many fields.
Although Robert Ardrey was never an ‘insider’, never had the acquired scholastic credentials of anthropologists he still surprised, impressed and amazed the academic world with his unique contributions to the field through such respected volumes as ‘The Territorial Imperative.’
Likewise with one of the greatest 'outsiders' of them all, Thomas (self-taught) Edison.
It's really an easy question to answer when you think about it and when ego or an elitist mindset is not a hindrance.
And, of course, this works vice versa. Many an 'outsider' can learn a great deal about specific knowledge and life itself from those 'insiders.' I would have to say it's a 50-50 deal.
2007-09-17 00:28:08 · answer #2 · answered by Doc Watson 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There was a little pond filling with Lilly pads. Each frog looked up at his and her area of the pond and described the situation. Where Lilly pads had taken over the lake, the frogs were screaming bloody murder. Where the pond was clear the frogs said nothing to worry about.
Only a scientist (an outsider) standing ashore would be able to accurately describe the situation to the frogs and give them the full perspective.
Sometimes (not always) we are too involved in a situation to be objective and clear about it. We are all frogs at times and need the help of an outsider. Just be picky about whom you ask, what you ask and what advice you follow.
2007-09-17 00:26:25 · answer #3 · answered by whuz007 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The more information a person has does not always lead to a better answer, it depends upon wether the information has come from a trusted source, you should make your choice, with the guidence of what you know is right in your heart. If your not sure, use other resources for confermation, to make sure you are making an educated, well thought out decision. This I find to be logical.
2007-09-16 23:56:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Really, I can't give good advice without knowing the context of your question.
Generally an outsider may have an interesting perspective but may not know as much as an insider. Insiders may know a lot about it but also may be wrapped up in emotion about the situation.
2007-09-16 23:52:29 · answer #5 · answered by Josh 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes an outsider's view can be very helpful. Just being in a group can bias a person in one way or another into conforming to the group's positions. An outsider could shed some light on these biases as they aren't affected by them.
2007-09-17 00:33:05 · answer #6 · answered by Fortis cadere cedere non potest 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think the outsider can provide information or can see things that insiders involved cannot see.
It's also nice to have additional people that may have extra advice or more experience in similar situations.
2007-09-16 23:53:39 · answer #7 · answered by Michelle Zalbo 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Param that an outsider may provide an open minded opinion.
It is better if the Outsider has or shares your fundamental belief.
2007-09-16 23:54:59 · answer #8 · answered by 007 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sometimes it can help but if the insider does not give enough info or gives slanted info (like your version of all things) then it might be confusing to have an outsider give info
2007-09-17 00:21:34 · answer #9 · answered by jaspers mom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes an outsider's view gives a much needed objectivity....
2007-09-16 23:51:48 · answer #10 · answered by P'quaint! 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋