Tired of having your Ideals Challenged?

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Challenging authority is a complex topic that raises questions about the nature of power and the consequences of dissent. The original poster expresses confusion about frequently getting into trouble for questioning authority and wonders why others, including friends, discourage such challenges. The discussion reveals a tension between the need to question established beliefs and the potential repercussions of doing so. Participants emphasize the importance of being well-informed before challenging authority, suggesting that without solid proof, one risks being dismissed. They highlight that maturity plays a role in how individuals engage with authority, noting that many people initially rebel against it without understanding the underlying reasons for rules or decisions. The conversation also touches on the idea that not all authority is justified, and that it can be healthy to question it when there are reasonable grounds. However, it is advised to approach authority with respect and to seek understanding rather than confrontation. Ultimately, the dialogue underscores the necessity of balancing critical thinking with the wisdom of knowing when and how to challenge authority effectively.
  • #61
Vanadium 50 said:
Do you mean why don't other people change their ways?

Why would I want other people to change their ways I mean all people(groups). inclusive to me or not. Does this mean the person is ahead of their time? or what, because as a once great astronomer once said "Yet, the Earth does move..."
 
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  • #62
Tenshou said:
This is true. There is always the best way for achieving algorithmic efficiency. I mean going about something in such a way that is satisfactory for each individual situation. I do understand, I think, but everyone has been in a situation in which they didn't understand the commanders reasons for doing such a thing, and if they never had the audacity, the nerve to ask why, then why did they not ask?

There are plenty of ways to go about something in a satisfactory way. And how that way meets the definition "satisfactory" is extremely varied. For one thing each person will have different priorities and areas they focus on. Some are focused on doing things the safest way, no matter if it takes 2-3 times longer, or more. Some are focused on getting it done safely and quick, and will not take quite as long in making sure the "one-in-a-million" chance accidents are dealt with before they happen. And some have no concept of safety other than "don't hit yourself with the hammer".

The reason most people don't ask is probably because in the past when they have asked they've been given answers that they may not have liked, and may have tried to change, but were unable to change it. It's pretty pointless to keep asking "why are we doing it this way" when every time you ask you get an answer and there's nothing you can do about it.

Everyone has spotted and efficient way of going about something better then person in charge, at least at one point in time and they choose to stick to the accustomed ways.

I disagree. I think everyone THINKS they have spotted a better way of going about something. I believe they are almost always most certainly wrong. The exceptions to this are when the person is either engaged in something entirely trivial and not worth discussing here, or when the person is actually knowledgeable in their area and can see the bigger picture. I think the latter example happens far less frequently than most people would imagine.

My true underlying question is why don't people change their ways, their ideals which have been in the group for "as long as one can remember, it has been this way". I do not know about you, but the United States was built this way, challenging (becoming enlightened through questions) what had been established because it didn't work, it is built on the dynamic transmogrification, grotesque perversion of what established thoughts were.

Because people, as a general rule, abhor change. This is built into us. Change means you have to expend time and effort into doing things you probably don't care about and may cause stress, fear, anger, anxiety, etc. Things such as learning a new program at work, re-doing the steps to a task the new way, etc. And I don't know where you got this idea of the U.S. being built this way. It is my observation that it takes a great tragedy for anything to change. Either tragedy on a national scale, such as natural disasters that lead to sweeping changes in building and safety codes, or more personal ones, of which I cannot remember the example I had...
 
  • #63
Drakkith said:
There are plenty of ways to go about something in a satisfactory way. And how that way meets the definition "satisfactory" is extremely varied. For one thing each person will have different priorities and areas they focus on. Some are focused on doing things the safest way, no matter if it takes 2-3 times longer, or more. Some are focused on getting it done safely and quick, and will not take quite as long in making sure the "one-in-a-million" chance accidents are dealt with before they happen. And some have no concept of safety other than "don't hit yourself with the hammer".

No matter how much you would like to believe that anyone can see all the possible outcomes to a situation you are wrong. Humans have a hard time gathering perfect information, in the game theoretical sense. I only say that because it is true, the program Buena De Musquite(I hope he can forgive me destroying his name(>_<)). No way is the safest way, unless one person wishes to take all the blame, be this an auspicious, naive fool, they are noble and deserve respect from a people, or group of them. Socrates, for example thought you should question the way the world works. I question in the pursuit of knowledge for I know it will make me happy in the end.

Drakkith said:
The reason most people don't ask is probably because in the past when they have asked they've been given answers that they may not have liked, and may have tried to change, but were unable to change it. It's pretty pointless to keep asking "why are we doing it this way" when every time you ask you get an answer and there's nothing you can do about it.

So, you are saying if we do not have the prestige, the skill, the strength(?) to change we should not? Are you saying we don't change because we, as humans are simply to weak to do anything about it. So would that not constitute as abuse of their authoritative power?



Drakkith said:
I disagree. I think everyone THINKS they have spotted a better way of going about something. I believe they are almost always most certainly wrong. The exceptions to this are when the person is either engaged in something entirely trivial and not worth discussing here, or when the person is actually knowledgeable in their area and can see the bigger picture. I think the latter example happens far less frequently than most people would imagine.

If they can see the bigger picture, why won't they explain it in a way such that the person who doesn't shuts-up?I do agree. Sometimes explaining the triviality or something that may be considered trivial is detrimental to understanding the cause and reason for things. Nothing is coincidental, thus has a reason.

Drakkith said:
Because people, as a general rule, abhor change. This is built into us. Change means you have to expend time and effort into doing things you probably don't care about and may cause stress, fear, anger, anxiety, etc. Things such as learning a new program at work, re-doing the steps to a task the new way, etc. And I don't know where you got this idea of the U.S. being built this way. It is my observation that it takes a great tragedy for anything to change. Either tragedy on a national scale, such as natural disasters that lead to sweeping changes in building and safety codes, or more personal ones, of which I cannot remember the example I had...

This is true, we can't stand change, er more or less, we don't like inconsistent ideals with what has been the base for their previous understanding of ideals, like postulates to prove other postulates. I do agree new doesn't mean improved, nor does it mean efficient, it just means new. I am not sure, this is just a hypothesis but I think this "Luciferian Disorder" is a result from blasé life style, to cloy the life of being on the bottom of the centralized chain of command. I too think that could be possible true. Change happens when people want to go into a new direction, they all get tired of the old style of living and do achieve a new and efficient style of living, change isn't the necessary herald of a great disaster and vice versa.

People are bad enough for thinking they can see every result good and bad, and then take extra time trying to go deeper in what can go wrong. I applaud those who can. If they can see all the bad things that may go wrong, they have one heck of a talent for information sorting and gathering and producing a stunning result.
 
  • #64
Tenshou said:
No matter how much you would like to believe that anyone can see all the possible outcomes to a situation you are wrong. Humans have a hard time gathering perfect information, in the game theoretical sense. I only say that because it is true, the program Buena De Musquite(I hope he can forgive me destroying his name(>_<)). No way is the safest way, unless one person wishes to take all the blame, be this an auspicious, naive fool, they are noble and deserve respect from a people, or group of them. Socrates, for example thought you should question the way the world works. I question in the pursuit of knowledge for I know it will make me happy in the end.

*scratches head*
What? How does that relate to what I said? Are you just going off on a tangent? :biggrin:
So, you are saying if we do not have the prestige, the skill, the strength(?) to change we should not? Are you saying we don't change because we, as humans are simply to weak to do anything about it. So would that not constitute as abuse of their authoritative power?
No I am not. I'm merely stating the reality for most people in most cases.
If they can see the bigger picture, why won't they explain it in a way such that the person who doesn't shuts-up?I do agree. Sometimes explaining the triviality or something that may be considered trivial is detrimental to understanding the cause and reason for things. Nothing is coincidental, thus has a reason.

Explaining things is hard. I'm serious. Explaining things in a way that almost anyone can understand and accept is nigh-impossible. Most people don't like it when you disagree with them. They get defensive and most people cannot accept things which differ from their opinion, no matter how well you put it or how logical it is. They shrug it off with a "Oh, whatever..." or "Oh please, it'll be fine..." or some other statement if they aren't simply outright hostile to your opinion.

This is true, we can't stand change, er more or less, we don't like inconsistent ideals with what has been the base for their previous understanding of ideals, like postulates to prove other postulates.

I don't know about inconsistent ideals, I think it's as simple as what I said. People just don't like change from the norm.

I am not sure, this is just a hypothesis but I think this "Luciferian Disorder" is a result from blasé life style, to cloy the life of being on the bottom of the centralized chain of command. I too think that could be possible true. Change happens when people want to go into a new direction, they all get tired of the old style of living and do achieve a new and efficient style of living, change isn't the necessary herald of a great disaster and vice versa.

I have no idea what the chain of command has to do with it. Resistance to change encompasses every level in my opinion. It's just that people at the top are actually able to enforce their own change when they want to. That's the key. People will change when they want to. And they typically want to change towards their own ideas, not others. I don't think people get tired of the "old style of living", I think people actually do the opposite. They get stuck in their ways and unwilling to accept new ideas and change. This is why younger people are typically the ones to push for change, and older folks typically resist change with all their might.
 
  • #65
I really want anyone who reads this bulletin to think, and think harder than what these post are talking about, read 4 lines deep between the words and beyond the meaning

Drakkith said:
No I am not. I'm merely stating the reality for most people in most cases.

Ha, reality. it reminds me of a quotes "Ones persons craziness is another reality" -Tim Burton. Still, reality is subjective and it seems like you do mean that the person could be to weak to do anything about how the situation they are in.

Drakkith said:
Explaining things is hard. I'm serious. Explaining things in a way that almost anyone can understand and accept is nigh-impossible. Most people don't like it when you disagree with them. They get defensive and most people cannot accept things which differ from their opinion, no matter how well you put it or how logical it is. They shrug it off with a "Oh, whatever..." or "Oh please, it'll be fine..." or some other statement if they aren't simply outright hostile to your opinion.

Completely right! But explaining it isn't the problem, just make the person think. if they do not want to think, then why argue? If you cannot replace a persons opinion with logical, rational statements which clearly depict the way beyond the norm, why is this "conflict" happening? When people do end up producing a logical argument they (the opposing party) tend to deny the rights on the other person, this is going back to my question "does this make them ahead of their time?(the ones who is questioning the norm)" , if so why won't anyone catch up?


Drakkith said:
I have no idea what the chain of command has to do with it. Resistance to change encompasses every level in my opinion. It's just that people at the top are actually able to enforce their own change when they want to. That's the key. People will change when they want to. And they typically want to change towards their own ideas, not others.

Again, this willingness for the authority to push for the change that they want, why would this power be let to go unchecked? Dissension is the way to democracy, the rule of the people, the decentralized government has rise! I do not know, the stuff seems like you believe that a politically weak adversary don't have the right to voice opinions.

"Resistance to change" as you call it seems like a reason why people don't like some type of foreign ideas.
 
  • #66
Tenshou said:
Dissension is the way to democracy, the rule of the people, the decentralized government has rise! I do not know, the stuff seems like you believe that a politically weak adversary don't have the right to voice opinions.
I feel like you're just coming off a Braveheart marathon.
 
  • #67
glremovals24 said:
I don't see any valid reason why do you challenged authority. The reason they called authority is because they are superior than normal people.

Nobody is inherently superior than somebody else.
 
  • #68
micromass said:
Nobody is inherently superior than somebody else.
*ahem* you seem to be forgetting a mister Jimmy Page
 
  • #69
WannabeNewton said:
*ahem* you seem to be forgetting a mister Jimmy Page

We were talking about people, not gods...
 
  • #70
micromass said:
We were talking about people, not gods...
Oh darn so we can't talk about Cantor either
 
  • #71
Tenshou said:
I really want anyone who reads this bulletin to think, and think harder than what these post are talking about, read 4 lines deep between the words and beyond the meaning

This is a physics forum, not a philosophy forum. It helps to state your meaning as clearly as possible. Otherwise that thing that someone is thinking about could be completely counter to what you were suggesting.
Ha, reality. it reminds me of a quotes "Ones persons craziness is another reality" -Tim Burton. Still, reality is subjective and it seems like you do mean that the person could be to weak to do anything about how the situation they are in.

It's not weakness, it's an inability to change someone's mind. Practically any group of people working toward a common goal will have some sort of leader, it's just the way we work. This is either through the appointing of one, such as any workplace, or through social pressures or whatever you want to call it, such as a group of students working on a project where one person happens to become the de facto leader because of their personality, skills, or whatever.

Most people have had plenty of situations where they've made suggestions and they've been shot down, so eventually they just stop trying to change things and just go with the flow. And this isn't necessarily a bad thing either. Suggestions can be good or bad. I know I've had to shoot down my share of bad suggestions because the person suggesting them didn't know what they were talking about. Of course at the same time I've also tried to listen to people and taken the good ones to heart. It's just as important to know when to suggest change as it is to know when not to suggest change. People who continually question pointless everyday things or make suggestions about every little thing quickly become super annoying to work with.


Completely right! But explaining it isn't the problem, just make the person think. if they do not want to think, then why argue? If you cannot replace a persons opinion with logical, rational statements which clearly depict the way beyond the norm, why is this "conflict" happening? When people do end up producing a logical argument they (the opposing party) tend to deny the rights on the other person, this is going back to my question "does this make them ahead of their time?(the ones who is questioning the norm)" , if so why won't anyone catch up?

I don't really know what you're getting at here. The conflict happens because two people have different opinions about something. You may even think you have a reasonable, logical argument, but from the other persons point of view your logic may be flawed, you may not understand the whole situation, or any number of things.


Again, this willingness for the authority to push for the change that they want, why would this power be let to go unchecked? Dissension is the way to democracy, the rule of the people, the decentralized government has rise! I do not know, the stuff seems like you believe that a politically weak adversary don't have the right to voice opinions.

My statements have nothing to do with politics specifically and everything to do with people as a whole. Democracy in the US is a totally different subject that what we are discussing and I believe we should keep it out of this thread or political arguments will spread like wildfire and this thread will be locked.
 
  • #72
Tenshou said:
I don't know, I seem to get in trouble very often and I do not know why. All I do is challenge authority.
Tenshou said:
I am an impolite person

Have you not worked out a probable answer to your question yet?

Why do other people who I am associated with get punished also, why do my so called friends tell me not to challenge this "power to be"?

Sigh. Let's see, your "associates" get punished when you "challenge authority" and then you wonder why they ask you not to? :frown: Hmm, tricky one, that, isn't it?

by nature, don't blame me for my natural inquisitions, my innate curiosity.

Attributes that many people, and not just scientists, share. But they are not all rude in the manner in which they attempt to discover things from others and raise questions.

You wouldn't blame a person with down syndrome who couldn't tie their shoe could you? Why blame a person who is some what impolite?

No, but after assessing the individual a little more closely, I would "blame" the person for not having the insight to learn a little courtesy, particularly if they are the ones who claim to have insights that "authority" does not and which lack the "lemmings" do not question. What's so special about you that you can't, or don't feel the need to, control your impoliteness?

As with Drakkith, I've got a military background (16 yrs as an engineering officer) and one of the many things I learned was that if you're after simple, correct answers to ill-defined, unquantified questions with no background information then you're living on the wrong planet.
 
  • #73
Natural Selection works in social mechanisms. We got where we are by, to borrow a phrase, standing on the shoulders of giants.
To presume that because we enjoy this 'view from a height', the giants who got us here can be dismissed as mental elves is at the very least a gross mistake. They learned through experience what ideas and methods work and what ones do not work. Reject them at your peril, you're dismissing your own support system.



“The individual's most vital need is to prove his worth, and this usually means an insatiable hunger for action. For it is only the few who can acquire a sense of worth by developing and employing their capacities and talents...”

"Both the revolutionary and the creative individual are perpetual juveniles. The revolutionary does not grow up because he cannot grow, while the creative individual cannot grow up because he keeps growing. "
eric hoffer, the ordeal of change

You'll get farther in life by getting and keeping your little corner of the world in such good order that others take note and see it as an example.



old jim
 
  • #74
Drakkith said:
This is a physics forum, not a philosophy forum. It helps to state your meaning as clearly as possible. Otherwise that thing that someone is thinking about could be completely counter to what you were suggesting.

Philosophy is a science and this forum contains most Natural and Pure sciences. Thinking is subjective, and I made that statement such that It would, or possibly even could be counter to what I was thinking.

Drakkith said:
It's not weakness, it's an inability to change someone's mind. Practically any group of people working toward a common goal will have some sort of leader, it's just the way we work. This is either through the appointing of one, such as any workplace, or through social pressures or whatever you want to call it, such as a group of students working on a project where one person happens to become the de facto leader because of their personality, skills, or whatever.

What is weakness to you? Yeah, social animals do work in the fashion of having a pack leader, cult leader (note that I am using cult to refer to cultural conditioning, and a person who is in charge of the cultural thing.) still the leader doesn't have to take the role of an authority figure. what do you think would happen, if they did take the role of the authority?

Drakkith said:
Most people have had plenty of situations where they've made suggestions and they've been shot down, so eventually they just stop trying to change things and just go with the flow. And this isn't necessarily a bad thing either. Suggestions can be good or bad. I know I've had to shoot down my share of bad suggestions because the person suggesting them didn't know what they were talking about. Of course at the same time I've also tried to listen to people and taken the good ones to heart. It's just as important to know when to suggest change as it is to know when not to suggest change. People who continually question pointless everyday things or make suggestions about every little thing quickly become super annoying to work with.

How do you know the person didn't know what they were talking about? what gave that kind of indication? Questioning everything, just means you want to learn, babies they question everything, or they want to explore everything around them because it is so new, you know like a new concept! Don't you like exploring new concepts? Well, I guess that is just a simple quirk you have to over come, I mean if you do want to make friends, and friends are better than enemies.

Drakkith said:
I don't really know what you're getting at here. The conflict happens because two people have different opinions about something. You may even think you have a reasonable, logical argument, but from the other persons point of view your logic may be flawed, you may not understand the whole situation, or any number of things.

If you do not believe a person to be reasonable, then why not point out the flaw in their logical argument and have that stated as the counter argument. If they didn't understand the bigger picture, then why could not be a simple, and in a polite way state to the conformal/non-conformal character, the multitude of things. Patience the virtue, impulse the vice.

Drakkith said:
My statements have nothing to do with politics specifically and everything to do with people as a whole. Democracy in the US is a totally different subject that what we are discussing and I believe we should keep it out of this thread or political arguments will spread like wildfire and this thread will be locked.

Yeah I know, I just wanted to begin to narrow it down so it as broad as so many people claim that it is. I only suggested democracy, for one because it characterizes the standards for unadulterated freedom, and the second thing is that democracy is decentralized power (meaning a direct democracy). I don't understand why this thread will be locked, if a conversation between competent and rational beings would talk about politics?

NemoReally said:
Have you not worked out a probable answer to your question yet?

I don't see how a persons ability to be non-conforming rude. Do you? I mean, if a person has a lot of money, and prestige they are considered an eccentric, yet if they do not and are on the dredges of society they are called a non conformist. I implore you to please explain to me, if you do have the ability to see something I have missed.
NemoReally said:
Sigh. Let's see, your "associates" get punished when you "challenge authority" and then you wonder why they ask you not to? :frown: Hmm, tricky one, that, isn't it?

Pretty tricky, I do agree. You cannot liberate those who do not want freedom.
NemoReally said:
Attributes that many people, and not just scientists, share. But they are not all rude in the manner in which they attempt to discover things from others and raise questions.

Rude is just a word. The action is intent. One many not have that ability to comprehend something as rude. that is why I deferred about the down syndrome. Though, it is true that people under social condition some people do have the ability to know the difference between polite and rude in a conversational setting, I am just now referring to the past example, because I thought about conforming and non conforming. Although, the person with down syndrome cannot choose to be a non-conformist to the social environment, or probably anything for that fact. The people around them can choose. Rudeness is something that is understood in by the other party,subjective. Although one many not try to come off ignorant it is kind of hard not to when they aren't giving any answers, or better yet the simply answer "I simply do not know."
NemoReally said:
No, but after assessing the individual a little more closely, I would "blame" the person for not having the insight to learn a little courtesy, particularly if they are the ones who claim to have insights that "authority" does not and which lack the "lemmings" do not question. What's so special about you that you can't, or don't feel the need to, control your impoliteness?

Simply? I do not know, or better yet i don't know what it means to be polite.
NemoReally said:
As with Drakkith, I've got a military background (16 yrs as an engineering officer) and one of the many things I learned was that if you're after simple, correct answers to ill-defined, unquantified questions with no background information then you're living on the wrong planet.

There are many things I find abstract in this statement. Simple answers are easy to find "I do not know." is the best and simplest, when you shut down a person you close doors and may possibly lead them down the opposite direction, or to an unintentional place. I do not wish to base on the military, serve the country, serve the state. I am sure with your beautiful engineering degree, that you have lots of questions in fields you are ignorant in too. Everyone has curiosities about the different fields of exploration. Sometimes you just need patience, I am sure you have it.

These unquantified questions can lead to the build-up of a background, no one is to wise to learn, yet people become to wise to continue to learn.

jim hardy said:
Natural Selection works in social mechanisms. We got where we are by, to borrow a phrase, standing on the shoulders of giants.
To presume that because we enjoy this 'view from a height', the giants who got us here can be dismissed as mental elves is at the very least a gross mistake. They learned through experience what ideas and methods work and what ones do not work. Reject them at your peril, you're dismissing your own support system.

I do agree, oh my. I do not know what to say, but you are true.
jim hardy said:
“The individual's most vital need is to prove his worth, and this usually means an insatiable hunger for action. For it is only the few who can acquire a sense of worth by developing and employing their capacities and talents...”

I have this sense that I have heard that before, and there is knowledge in this quote.

jim hardy said:
"Both the revolutionary and the creative individual are perpetual juveniles. The revolutionary does not grow up because he cannot grow, while the creative individual cannot grow up because he keeps growing. "
eric hoffer, the ordeal of change

jim hardy said:
You'll get farther in life by getting and keeping your little corner of the world in such good order that others take note and see it as an example.

old jim

That kind of reminds me of something from plato's apology. Although, I have not formally read this poetry myself, I think it is impertinent of you to take a look at the "childish" side of things, the one which is "never grows-up, because it is not finishes". It kind of reminds me of Neverland and Peter Pan.
 
  • #75
The Op posts have driven this thread off topic.
 

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