Predjudicial prejudices

[Edbear]

I was reading an article on prejudice. It dealt with a variety of prejudices from around the world against such things as race, of course, but also addressed prejudice in general and how it affects most aspects of our lives.

It was interesting to see that different cultures and races have different prejudices dependent upon location and history. It got me thinking about prejudice in general and the fact that we all have a tendency to prejudice in one form or another about many different things.

Prejudice by definition is:

prej·u·dice
/ˈprejədəs/Noun
Preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience.


Now we all would be reluctant to admit we were prejudiced without regard to facts or reason, but the truth is, many, if not most of us are in some way.

What puzzles me is why so many are reluctant to address their prejudices and ignore facts and reason in an effort to preserve their prejudice, or resort to unreasoned justification for same. Why are so many keen to have a knee-jerk reaction to something and make fools of themselves once the true facts come to light?

Are you prejudiced in one way or another and why?

[SMOKEU]

This thread is bound to be good.

[Smifffy]

I'm guessing someone will be knocking on my door shortly to give me a copy of the same article.

[bogan]

Nothing serious to see here folks...

[Edbear]

[Nothing serious to see here folks...

Yup! But notice how posters are already admitting they are prejudiced by definition? Some obviously can't read with comprehension and don't know what prejudice means, despite me posting the dictionary definition.

I wonder how many will answer according to the definition and say why. Call it an IQ test and watch them bleat...

[caspernz]

Maybe this is out of left field, and a generalisation as well, but I've found prejudice and limited education often go hand in hand.

Or at the very least I'd venture prejudice is born of something akin to fear of the unknown.

MInd you, I'll also admit to becoming less tolerant as I get older...might even turn into a dinosaur before too long

[bogan]

I wonder how many will answer according to the definition and say why. Call it an IQ test and watch them bleat...

Maybe they're waiting for you to go first... Or maybe they can spot a troll thread too, and are just giving it the respect it deserves, which is to say, none at all.

[iYRe]

Probably because prejudice can arise by experience, which is quite subjective. However, if you try and invalidate someone's experience, you are pretty much trying to invalidate a belief (they believe they had an experience, which makes it, therefore, fact). And what happens when you try and invalidate a belief?

[gijoe1313]

I'm an equal opportunity bigot, I hate everything and everyone equally!

[Smifffy]

Yup! But notice how posters are already admitting they are prejudiced by definition? Some obviously can't read with comprehension and don't know what prejudice means, despite me posting the dictionary definition.

I wonder how many will answer according to the definition and say why. Call it an IQ test and watch them bleat...

Except that their opinion is actually based on their experience of previous posts of this nature on this forum. According to your very own definition that opinion is not prejudice.

[Edbear]

Maybe this is out of left field, and a generalisation as well, but I've found prejudice and limited education often go hand in hand.

Or at the very least I'd venture prejudice is born of something akin to fear of the unknown.

MInd you, I'll also admit to becoming less tolerant as I get older...might even turn into a dinosaur before too long

Probably because prejudice can arise by experience, which is quite subjective. However, if you try and invalidate someone's experience, you are pretty much trying to invalidate a belief (they believe they had an experience, which makes it, therefore, fact). And what happens when you try and invalidate a belief?

Remember the definition is preconceptions NOT based on reason or experience. We dislike something or someone or some race without knowing enough about same to make a reasoned decision.

In short we are being unreasonable and are therefore most probably wrong once we do know the facts.

I'm an equal opportunity bigot, I hate everything and everyone equally!

Nice! Much simpler that way...

[iYRe]

Remember the definition is preconceptions NOT based on reason or experience. We dislike something or someone or some race without knowing enough about same to make a reasoned decision.

In short we are being unreasonable and are therefore most probably wrong once we do know the facts.

What I was trying to suggest is that people CAN become prejudiced based on experience, because experience is subjective, and not necessarily reasonable nor factual. I know I have become prejudiced about certain things because of experiences I have had. If I had I known the facts/truth, I would not have become prejudiced.

[Edbear]

Seems someone has deleted their post...

Maybe this is out of left field, and a generalisation as well, but I've found prejudice and limited education often go hand in hand.

Or at the very least I'd venture prejudice is born of something akin to fear of the unknown.

MInd you, I'll also admit to becoming less tolerant as I get older...might even turn into a dinosaur before too long

That is basically the reason for prejudices, a lack of education. I also note that prejudice is often due to simply not thinking about it. Many people just don't question their beliefs or motives or prejudices to see if thay have basis in reason or fact.

I do confess to prejudices about certain foods, some things I simply think are not edible by humans, me in particular. For example, horses, rodents, cats and dogs. I finally succumbed to pressure and tried Kina. Now I am no longer prejudiced against Kina, I just hate it!

[Edbear]

What I was trying to suggest is that people CAN become prejudiced based on experience, because experience is subjective, and not necessarily reasonable nor factual. I know I have become prejudiced about certain things because of experiences I have had. If I had I known the facts/truth, I would not have become prejudiced.

I get your point, I think it is maybe a blurred line between prejudice based on reason and experience, or is there another description for negative feelings based upon experience?

Could it be perceptions that are clarified once the facts are known?

[iYRe]

I get your point, I think it is maybe a blurred line between prejudice based on reason and experience, or is there another description for negative feelings based upon experience?

Could it be perceptions that are clarified once the facts are known?

I dont know of another word..

Although:

Main Entry:	prejudice  [prej-uh-dis]
Definition:	belief without basis, information; intolerance

An experience would count as a "basis", but its not a good basis to form an opinion on. As your mother always said, "never judge a book by a cover" (although, I have read many a good book and bought many a good album just because of the cover, heh).

The point would be, once the facts are known, your understanding has a proper basis, and then your "prejudice" becomes an informed opinion.

flame fodder: Most people (particularly on this forum, but just generally, regardless of their belief in religion or not) are prejudiced about Christianity and the Bible.
VERY FEW people actually are qualified to give an informed opinion (because theology is actually a discipline which, like any thing, requires formal education. Biblical studies are a part of literature, sociology, history, archaeology disciplines.. and yet "everyone" thinks they are qualified to have an opinion.. hah.)