Your opinion

[stratego]

When people say believe what you believe, not what society has shaped you to believe, what does that mean? What's the different between 'your true beliefs' and 'what society has made you believe?' Can you even have a view without society shaping it?

 

[Manverulin]

When people say believe what you believe, not what society has shaped you to believe, what does that mean? What's the different between 'your true beliefs' and 'what society has made you believe?' Can you even have a view without society shaping it?

The environment around you shapes who you are. That would include the society that you live in, I believe. But then if the society that you live in isn't all too great (e.g. xenophobic, ethnocentrist, discriminatory, whatever) and then there are the influences from outside your society that you believe is more beliveable or better than what your society wants you to believe, it can have you obtain a perspective that is different from your society's, so then you would have that your society hasn't shaped. But then again, another society has shaped your view, so society still has shaped your view. I'm a bit confused now...

 

[Sanaz]

When people say believe what you believe, not what society has shaped you to believe, what does that mean? What's the different between 'your true beliefs' and 'what society has made you believe?' Can you even have a view without society shaping it?

There are three ways to lessen the single influence of your society that come to my mnd right away. Travel and read extensively, and spend a lot of quiet time. All require humility and an open mind. There are more ways I'm sure, but that's my experience. Oh, and know yourself. It all starts inside, not outside.

 

[pyromaster]

who knows what it truely means

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Oh, and know yourself. It all starts inside, not outside.

Thats it right there, all you need to know Sanaz your cigar is being Fed Exed at this moment.

 

[stormbind]

Feelings and emotions are not learned from society.

 

[Garbarsardar.jr]

No.(10 character limit)

 

[AceChilla]

My opinion is not politically correct, so I don't think society or mainstream media had a mayor influence on it.

 

[col]

It is difficult to transcend one's environment. So much to overcome. Parental upbringing. Education. Country. Neighbourhood. Friends. Peer groups.

Its all very well saying know yourself, but what does that mean beyond rhetoric? Know the person that your life has shaped. Ultimately its nonsense. How can one separate oneself from ones self?

For me, the answer lies in diversity. Being widely educated and widely travelled means exposing yourself to a wide variety of influences. Embrace people who hold views different from yourself and consider that they my hold some truths too. Allow yourself to consider the remote possiblity that you may be wrong.

 

[JohnRM]

It depends on whether one speaks information/truth that they think/discover or repeats information/truth that they have heard.

 

[FredLC]

It is difficult to transcend one's environment. So much to overcome. Parental upbringing. Education. Country. Neighbourhood. Friends. Peer groups.

Its all very well saying know yourself, but what does that mean beyond rhetoric? Know the person that your life has shaped. Ultimately its nonsense. How can one separate oneself from ones self?

For me, the answer lies in diversity. Being widely educated and widely travelled means exposing yourself to a wide variety of influences. Embrace people who hold views different from yourself and consider that they my hold some truths too. Allow yourself to consider the remote possiblity that you may be wrong.

Bingo. The measure of one's true freedom is the number of choices one has. So go get yourself some choices.

Regards .

 

[Birdjaguar]

The measure of one's true freedom is the number of choices one has. So go get yourself some choices.

I agree! But given that ~85% of what we are is genetically driven, choice can be difficult.

 

[cgannon64]

Its impossible for anyone to truly seperate their mind and decisions from societal pressures.

Anyone who claims they are completely independent of influence is a liar.

 

[stormbind]

It is difficult to transcend one's environment. So much to overcome. Parental upbringing. Education. Country. Neighbourhood. Friends. Peer groups.

Its all very well saying know yourself, but what does that mean beyond rhetoric? Know the person that your life has shaped. Ultimately its nonsense. How can one separate oneself from ones self?

For me, the answer lies in diversity. Being widely educated and widely travelled means exposing yourself to a wide variety of influences. Embrace people who hold views different from yourself and consider that they my hold some truths too. Allow yourself to consider the remote possiblity that you may be wrong.

Does this apply to what you just said?

 

[Syterion]

Who cares? I'm 15 years old, my opinion matters not.

 

[fazzoletti]

I cannot say anything intelligent about you guys personally, because I don't know you well enough. It is possible however to draw conclusions about mankind in general on the subject of susceptibility to societal ideas. And the picture looks very grim. Just think about this: in Europe about 80% of the people hate George Bush. In America the figure might be, i d'ont really know but say 50%?? Correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway, what can be induced by this? That Americans are born with more/less brain mass? That their is a George W. Bush-friendly gene that Americans have and we don't? I dont think so... You do get my point don't you?

 

[The Last Conformist]

What's so terrible with be susceptible to societal ideas, BTW? Without it, there probably wouldn't be any human societies.

 

[Spadark]

Who cares? I'm 15 years old, my opinion matters not.

What a pity!
So when you grow up join the army your oponion WILL matters lots!

 

[fazzoletti]

The susceptibility of us all to social ideas makes us easy to infuence, as my example exemplifies. This THE single most biggest concern I have for the future.

 

[Sarevok]

I say its experiences that shape opinions. This can be society giving these experiences though.