Comments on: Variant on a theme

By: Luis Dias

Luis Dias — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:50:31 +0000

Mr Briggs, nice essay, but perhaps you are just reading too much into a single sentence. Yes, saying that you are being “judgemental” is judgemental by itself, just as saying that you are being an asshole is being an asshole in a way.

It doesn’t mean that the person saying it is wrong.

In another theme, or opening another variant, one might only say that “don’t be too judgemental”, or “cut some slack, will’ya?”

Which, btw, is only a reminder of a very universal truth, one that I think every goddamn human agrees with:

errare humanum est.

By: Morgan

Morgan — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:23:29 +0000

Theodore Dalrymple (Anthony Daniels) recently wrote a book called “In Praise of Prejudice: The Necessity of Preconceived Notions” that some here might find interesting - though I must admit I haven’t read it yet.

There is also this article (”The Rush from Judgment”) he wrote in 1998, which presents a practical, rather than logical, case for the necessity of passing judgment.

http://www.city-journal.org/html/7_3_oh_to_be.html

By: Bernie

Bernie — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:21:26 +0000

Perhaps a more common but weaker statement is that “everything is relative” - even this statement. This seems to avoid the more obvious logical inconsistencies of the liar’s paradox, while allowing those who want to avoid being judgemental to avoid making judgements - though they will still probably make judgements about those who are unconflicted about making judgements.

I am currently reading Atomic Tragedy by Sean Malloy which promises a wealth of material on this topic and takes us beyond the field of aesthetics to judgements that significantly affect us all. Judging from the first two chapters, Prof. Malloy is arguing that dropping the bombs was the culmination of a number of bad decisions and that Henry Stimson, Secretary of War throughout WWII, who played a major role in many of these decisions compromised his principles in choosing to drop the bomb. Stay tuned.

By: KuhnKat

KuhnKat — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:44:57 +0000

Nick Barrowman,

If I think something is so hideous that I feel the need to comment, what does it say about me and the person who designed/made the item??

It simply says we have extremely differing views.

Why is that a problem? How can we have a discussion about that difference if I do not state it??

Wouldn’t it be of interest to the maker how his work is or isn’t accepted?? If they do not care about my view doesn’t that say more about them than me?

“Don’t Be Judgemental” is simply a mechanism to push divergent views into acceptance in spite of the majority. There are any number of ways the same people who use it on you will NOT use it on themselves!!

By: Nick Barrowman

Nick Barrowman — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:31:33 +0000

What does it mean to be judgmental? It seems to me that there are a couple of elements: (1) There’s usually the sense that someone is making a lot of judgements; and (2) The judgment must be expressed in some way, rather than kept in one’s mind. The expression “to pass judgment” seems to suggest that one has made one’s judgment manifest.

Judgments of aesthetics (e.g. whether those tie-dyed t-shires are ugly or not) are a matter of taste, and it may be best to share them only when they are requested. Things are much tricker when it comes to morality. Ultimately the morality of our own behavior is paramount. When it comes to other people’s behavior that we judge to be immoral, the question is what can we do to effect a positive change. Depending on the situation, denouncing their behavior may not be the best (or even a good) idea.

By: Kir

Kir — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:48:48 +0000

Beautiful essay. Especially so in the context of the previous essays about ‘the most enlightened city’.