I have a simpler explanation. We need to differentiate between measures of our character and measures of outcomes. Holding self-serving views means that we think highly of our character and are jealous of others' outcomes. So we have high estimates of our intelligence, morality, and so on. It also means that we have high estimates of the outcomes that others enjoy—their wealth, their sex lives, and so on. It is two sides of the same ego.
A different problem is that the people who are at the parties think they are lonely, too. "I've got lots of acquaintances, but very few real friends." they lament.
I think there is a tipping point that is a slippery slope downhill. That tipping point is mitigated by individual self confidence to fend for oneself.
Think about it, if you possess skills to hunt, grow food, build shelter, etc... you would own a base of self confidence that you can potentially survive the next Zombie Apocalypse. If you are reliant on everyone else for your own survival, you have a basis of dependency that foments personal insecurity. That insecurity is the slippery slope because once insecure the shift is one of defense to prevent additional hits to the insecure feelings.
And so you become a narcissist. You know things and you will defend them no matter the level of absurdity required to weave your defense. Your seek of knowledge is not for how to fend for yourself, but how to more effectively defend your positions so you can feel like you are a winner of debate. You seek out people like you because getting validation of your righteousness is a need almost a strong as is the need to survive... maybe stronger.
You form an impenetrable thought and view bubble and frankly go a bit insane in that you think you and those like you are the only correct and smart people, and everyone else is wrong and stupid.
There is something in the human needs hierarchy where skipping the lower-level needs struggle creates an incomplete human prone to suboptimized decision-making. I keep coming back to that quote: "Hard times create strong men that create good times that create weak men that create hard times."
I think we would be well served to force children in their education to learn life skills and maybe mandatory ROTC. Maybe replace the Theory classes with these things.
I have notice as I've gotten older (68 now) I have become more secure for a few concrete reasons, things I've accomplished and some external validation. As a result, though I don't like to be wrong I am more secure about admitting I am wrong, especially in an interpersonal conflict where no matter who you are you are bound to be wrong at times.
I seek information that helps me correct inaccuracies that I know I am always plagued with. I think true wisdom is achieved we we develop the humble self-awareness that do not know everything. But along with that humble self-awareness is a firm requirement of real facts and truths that are real learning opportunities. To those trying to push an irrational mythology I appear to be egotistical and harsh, but it is really just a rejection of their argument because it lacks facts and truths.
It is fascinating to me watching people that are so dependent on being the smartest in the room continue to push inaccuracies as if they can just browbeat other people into recognize their brilliance. Given so much of their self-worth is tied up in being all-knowing, you would think they would be more motivated to seek facts and truths that prevent them from stepping in the dogie doo doo of being wrong.
I don't know. I am a Christian and many people view that as an "irrational mythology" but I have yet to have anybody take me up on just looking at the YouTube videos that might support belief, such as interviews featuring exorcists like Father Vince Lampert and others.
The researchers concluded, “The more strongly people believed that biases widely existed, the more inclined they were to ascribe biases to others but not themselves.”
This calls to mind another study where they found that people were more likely to discriminate against a group they viewed as more uniform. Two good findings to remind one to approach with caution people or ideas that make sweeping generalizations or tend to view things overly categorically.
This reminds me, in part, of an Adam Smith quote: “The overweening conceit which the greater part of men have of their own abilities is an ancient evil remarked by the philosophers and moralists of all ages.”
It seems reasonable to think that people with high self-esteem may have been more successful in reproduction (securing mates, gaining resources), thus passing the characteristic down to us.
I have a simpler explanation. We need to differentiate between measures of our character and measures of outcomes. Holding self-serving views means that we think highly of our character and are jealous of others' outcomes. So we have high estimates of our intelligence, morality, and so on. It also means that we have high estimates of the outcomes that others enjoy—their wealth, their sex lives, and so on. It is two sides of the same ego.
I like this.
A different problem is that the people who are at the parties think they are lonely, too. "I've got lots of acquaintances, but very few real friends." they lament.
I think there is a tipping point that is a slippery slope downhill. That tipping point is mitigated by individual self confidence to fend for oneself.
Think about it, if you possess skills to hunt, grow food, build shelter, etc... you would own a base of self confidence that you can potentially survive the next Zombie Apocalypse. If you are reliant on everyone else for your own survival, you have a basis of dependency that foments personal insecurity. That insecurity is the slippery slope because once insecure the shift is one of defense to prevent additional hits to the insecure feelings.
And so you become a narcissist. You know things and you will defend them no matter the level of absurdity required to weave your defense. Your seek of knowledge is not for how to fend for yourself, but how to more effectively defend your positions so you can feel like you are a winner of debate. You seek out people like you because getting validation of your righteousness is a need almost a strong as is the need to survive... maybe stronger.
You form an impenetrable thought and view bubble and frankly go a bit insane in that you think you and those like you are the only correct and smart people, and everyone else is wrong and stupid.
There is something in the human needs hierarchy where skipping the lower-level needs struggle creates an incomplete human prone to suboptimized decision-making. I keep coming back to that quote: "Hard times create strong men that create good times that create weak men that create hard times."
I think we would be well served to force children in their education to learn life skills and maybe mandatory ROTC. Maybe replace the Theory classes with these things.
Great insights, thanks
I have notice as I've gotten older (68 now) I have become more secure for a few concrete reasons, things I've accomplished and some external validation. As a result, though I don't like to be wrong I am more secure about admitting I am wrong, especially in an interpersonal conflict where no matter who you are you are bound to be wrong at times.
I seek information that helps me correct inaccuracies that I know I am always plagued with. I think true wisdom is achieved we we develop the humble self-awareness that do not know everything. But along with that humble self-awareness is a firm requirement of real facts and truths that are real learning opportunities. To those trying to push an irrational mythology I appear to be egotistical and harsh, but it is really just a rejection of their argument because it lacks facts and truths.
It is fascinating to me watching people that are so dependent on being the smartest in the room continue to push inaccuracies as if they can just browbeat other people into recognize their brilliance. Given so much of their self-worth is tied up in being all-knowing, you would think they would be more motivated to seek facts and truths that prevent them from stepping in the dogie doo doo of being wrong.
I don't know. I am a Christian and many people view that as an "irrational mythology" but I have yet to have anybody take me up on just looking at the YouTube videos that might support belief, such as interviews featuring exorcists like Father Vince Lampert and others.
I love being a shut in. Esp from November to March. Brrrrrr.
The researchers concluded, “The more strongly people believed that biases widely existed, the more inclined they were to ascribe biases to others but not themselves.”
This calls to mind another study where they found that people were more likely to discriminate against a group they viewed as more uniform. Two good findings to remind one to approach with caution people or ideas that make sweeping generalizations or tend to view things overly categorically.
This reminds me, in part, of an Adam Smith quote: “The overweening conceit which the greater part of men have of their own abilities is an ancient evil remarked by the philosophers and moralists of all ages.”
Might there be an evolutionary reason for this?
It seems reasonable to think that people with high self-esteem may have been more successful in reproduction (securing mates, gaining resources), thus passing the characteristic down to us.
That was gloriously expressive, Penny!