How we know what we know: utter denial in human beings

07-22-2006, 01:52 PM

... but , we cannot be poets all the time .

What is the line between true kindness and condescension ? I would not like anyone to hide the truth from me 'out of kindness' . I decide what is good for me , not other people . Mao probably thought he was being kind when he lied to the Chinese .

smoothmoniker · 07-23-2006, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddug

What is the line between true kindness and condescension?

It's the line of uncertainty. If I am unsure of what I think is true, but I am sure of what is kind, better to err on the side of kindness.

To steal a very useful acronym from Scott Adams of Dilbert fame, BOCTAOE

9th Engineer · 07-23-2006, 02:15 PM

I don't think that lying to anyone under any excuse is kindness. Whether or not you cloud the lie in poetic lines about kindness nothing to do with the fact that you are lying to them. Even the feeling that you lie because you care about them is false, because you are belittling them in the process. You say "well, they would be happier if they thought this" but it really ends up being "well, they can't really handle it so I'd better make sure they don't hurt theirself". It is what is done with children, not adults.

In the end I think it boils down into happiness vs dignity

07-23-2006, 02:15 PM	#3
9th Engineer Bioengineer and aspiring lawer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 872	I don't think that lying to anyone under any excuse is kindness. Whether or not you cloud the lie in poetic lines about kindness nothing to do with the fact that you are lying to them. Even the feeling that you lie because you care about them is false, because you are belittling them in the process. You say "well, they would be happier if they thought this" but it really ends up being "well, they can't really handle it so I'd better make sure they don't hurt theirself". It is what is done with children, not adults. In the end I think it boils down into happiness vs dignity __________________ The most valuable renewable resource is stupidity.

07-22-2006, 01:52 PM	#1
Buddug Guest Posts: n/a	... but , we cannot be poets all the time . What is the line between true kindness and condescension ? I would not like anyone to hide the truth from me 'out of kindness' . I decide what is good for me , not other people . Mao probably thought he was being kind when he lied to the Chinese .

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