Originally Posted by
Torq
I'm not sure where you're getting the lack of confidence part, because I certainly don't lack that at all. I do, however, not have a whole lot of faith in humanity; mostly because of that worldview I just posited. I've yet to see a single action that cannot be traced back to the ingrained need for superiority that every person appears to have. Even the whole "taking the high road" thing or "being benevolent" all speak to a desire to demonstrate "moral superiority" over someone else (or some other subculture).
Physiologically, it makes sense. The desire to be better than others is the same as is found in every other species' mating rituals and habits, it's just been compounded and obfuscated by the various layers of the human psyche. Where so many different avenues for differentiation are possible within humans, as many avenues (or more) exist for demonstrating superiority in those areas.
It makes sense from the evolutionary perspective, too. After all, every creature has some level of desire to pass on their genetics; and when there's competition for mates, there's need to demonstrate that you're the "right mate." In simpler creatures, this is usually accomplished by being physically superior in some way.
There's no challenge issue. I just think it's tiresome and petty the bickering and fighting we do as a species. Even your diagnosis of the situation could be explained by feeling some need to demonstrate that you know the human mind better than I do; except you're taking it to the next level and attempting to posit that you know my psyche better than I know it, myself. You're also right on some levels; given that my theory states that every action is driven by the desire to be measurably superior, my very stating of the theory is proof of that.
The beauty of the theory, however, is the simplicity. Also, the fact that it has fit everything I've seen in the world so far, even outside of the realm of humanity.
As far as the therapy thing goes; I see a lot of laziness in my country. People, by the thousands, bilking a system that otherwise would be a good thing; running it into the ground because they want a free ride in life. The root cause of it, in my mind? Laziness. Why work for something when you can get it for free? Why strive to better yourself when you can write it off as some sort of disorder, and not actually have to spend the effort making yourself a better person?
It's all pretty pathetic. But it's the way of life.
People really tend to be no more complex than electrons; we like to take the path of least resistance.
You're right, I don't know you. However, just as you did, I'm generalizing you based off of your statements. The difference is that you made a statement about me; I made a statement about someone else, and you took it and attempted to say I was generalizing when I wasn't.
The flipside is also true: you don't know me, and yet here you are, attacking my opinion.
Your opinion is no more educated than mine, and yet apparently you think it is more worthy of sharing. You know me no more than I know you, and yet you feel the need to call me out on something you started.
You see how unbalanced that is?