Some questions to ask yourself

[Zisly]

Objectification
What is your definition of "objectification" and do you objectify?
How do you feel about objectification?
Do you find looking at women/girls in little clothes and enjoying their bodies or looks as objectification?

Generalization
Do you generalize?
How do you feel about it?
If you walk down the road at night and see a gang of punks, what is your first thought and do you act on it?
Are the times when generalizations are important for self preservation even though it's not politically correct and wrong in an utopia?
Do you live like you were living in an utopia or do you adapt to how the world actually looks like today?
Example; you walk down the road alone drunk at night flashing your wallet and expensive gold watch because you should be able, after all you're not doing anything wrong and the one who decides to rob you is the one doing the wrong thing. You stick to being "right" and lose both your wallet and watch. Do you do it or do you adapt to how the world looks and put away the wallet and watch or take a taxi? was the person taking this risk being stupid?

Being right and wrong
Do you question your values and what do you think of people who have different values?
Can you admit to yourself when you're wrong and if so; can you make changes to yourself after realizing you're wrong?
Are you able to tell other's that you were wrong, do you find it important that people tell the people involved that they were wrong?

Are morals and ethics absolute or relative?
Is it okay to have sex with people with the same gender? (legal in country)
Is it okay for 22 yearold woman to have sex with a 15 yearold boy? explain why/why not. (legal in country)
Is it okay for 22 yearold man do have sex with a 15 yearold girl? explain why/why not. (legal in country)
Is it okay to use physical force to draw a line when words don't work? does gender matter and if so; why? we assume the person has the same weight and body type no matter gender, is it wrong?

 

[Scarlet Ayleid]

wow, these are some big questions, especially for a forum like this

What is your definition of "objectification" and do you objectify?
I think that "objectification" is when you try to show something abstract as something real, like using people as tools and discarding them when you don't need them anymore, no I don't objectify, at least not consciously
How do you feel about objectification?
I think that it's a bad thing, objectification is lowering something to the level of a simple object, like how some people treat pets, the second they aren't perfect, they are thrown away like old tvs, and it disgusts me
Do you find looking at women/girls in little clothes and enjoying their bodies or looks as objectification?
I think this question is more aimed at guys, so I'll say something about this
I am probably one of the few girls that I know that don't mind being "checked out" by guys, if we wear outfits with cleverage or short skirts is because we like our own body, why should we be ashamed of it by saying to other guys not to look, when I walk by and guys check me out and whistle at me, I actually take it as a compliment, of course staring after some time might get weird, but otherwise I don't really mind

Do you generalize?
Yes
How do you feel about it?
I never really thought about it, but generalization is all around us, its a way for us to handle stuff that we don't know by grouping them with known factors, if we see a guy in a leather jacket and in an Harley, the first thought that comes to mind is he's a Biker or he's part of some gang, and we instinctively think that without even considering who the person actually is, I don't see this as a good thing, but I also don't see it as a bad thing
If you walk down the road at night and see a gang of punks, what is your first thought and do you act on it?
Continue walking on the other side of the road or find another way around
Do you live like you were living in an utopia or do you adapt to how the world actually looks like today?
Adapting is how humankind evolves, if we always lived like an utopia then we wouldnt have found the need to expand our limits, its because we don't live in an utopia that Man dreams about going to space, if we lived in one, then we wouldn't feel the need to go to space, which would effectively put an hold on Mankind evolution(this comment is probably different from what u were expecting)

Do you question your values and what do you think of people who have different values?
Occasionally yes, there are some values that I think are antiquate for modern society.
Every person believes in the values they think are correct, its not up to me to judge them
Can you admit to yourself when you're wrong and if so; can you make changes to yourself after realizing you're wrong?
Yes, I'm wrong alot, mainly because I end up being dragged into stuff that I didnt considered at first when I chose to say/do something
Yes, I learn alot thru my mistakes, no matter how much ur taught or how much you know, you will always make mistakes, and its thru them that people learn the real lessons in life
Are you able to tell other's that you were wrong, do you find it important that people tell the people involved that they were wrong?
Yes, admitting that you're wrong to others is as important as admitting to yourself that you were wrong, and yes, if a person makes a mistake, they should say that they are wrong

Is it okay to have sex with people with the same gender? (legal in country)
Its a personal choice, if both people agree, I don't see why this should be frowned upon
Is it okay for 22 yearold woman to have sex with a 15 yearold boy? explain why/why not. (legal in country)
Is it okay for 22 yearold man do have sex with a 15 yearold girl? explain why/why not. (legal in country)
Highly situational, I know some 15 year olds that are as mature as some 20 y.o. people i know, likewise, I know some 23/24 y.o. people that act like their 12, if both parties are mature enough to handle the situation then I don't see a reason to deny this, but again like I said above, its highly situational and its something that has alot of other things to consider
Is it okay to use physical force to draw a line when words don't work? does gender matter and if so; why? we assume the person has the same weight and body type no matter gender, is it wrong?
No, physical force shouldn't be used, if you have a problem that you can't settle with words, try asking for help with other people, other people might be able to deal with the situation when you couldn't. Gender-related issues fall on the antiquate values for modern society like I said above, women fight to have the same rights as men do, but in the end we're still treated differently just because we're women, and I don't agree with this, if I have the same rights as a man, then why am I treated differently, makes no sense..

Extra question, is this homework? Not judging, just curious because some of these questions seem highly philosophical and these topics can easily be dragged to productive discussions(which i doubt will happen in this forum, but oh well)

 

[Zisly]

Extra question, is this homework? Not judging, just curious because some of these questions seem highly philosophical and these topics can easily be dragged to productive discussions(which i doubt will happen in this forum, but oh well)

Nope, just thought it would be interesting seeing the response I could get of people here.

 

[Scarlet Ayleid]

Were those the kind of answers you were expecting?
what about writing your answers to your own questions too?

 

[Migxxx]

What is your definition of "objectification" and do you objectify?
Treat human beings as objects. Not needed? To the trash you go.
How do you feel about objectification?
It really depends on the situation. What if both parties want to be objectified? Imagine for instance a business partner or a sex buddy. Treating each other as 'objects'. Works rather well for both, but when one party is not in for it, now there's a problem.

Overall, I don't mind objectification and/or being objectified. I think it make things way easier.
Do you find looking at women/girls in little clothes and enjoying their bodies or looks as objectification?
Maybe. I don't even know the girl, saying otherwise would be hypocritical. I'm not thinking of "awwww, dat girl must have a pretty good personality ", no. I'm thinking of dem boobies.

Just to add something for the occasion (the generalization and the girls with le sexy clothes), I'll quote a comedian.
"The girl says 'Oh uh-uh, wait a minute! Wait a minute! Just because I'm dressed this way does not make me a whore!' Which is true. Gentlemen, that is true. Just because they dress a certain way doesn't mean they are a certain way. Don't ever forget it. But ladies, you must understand that it's fucking confusing. It just is. Now that would be like me, Dave Chappelle, the comedian, walking down the street in a cop uniform. Somebody might run up on me, saying, 'Oh, thank God. Officer, help us! Come on. They're over here. Help us!' 'Oh-hoh! Just because I'm dressed this way does not make me a police officer!' See what I mean? All right, ladies, fine. You are not a whore. But you are wearing a whore's uniform."

I like to think of that quote as the "Treat me like a lady, but fuck me like a whore" situation, mainly because it could be seen from MILES away and expecting otherwise is nothing but foolish.
Do you generalize?
Yes. One of the reasons I dislike labels... I can see their effect on myself. ;_;
How do you feel about it?
I dislike it, but it's something we've got to accept but not pander. Just to name an example: socialism. You hear that word in the US and everybody panics. The bad part of it all is that a big part of such generalizations are based on misinformation and/or blissful ignorance. Focusing of course; on the negative aspect.

Another example of a label which people associate negatively: atheism.
I remember when I was younger, whenever I heard the word 'atheism' I thought of a very bad satanic person (Religion fucks with your head, especially when heavily indoctrinated) due to the heavy indoctrination. I was brought up as a Catholic and you better trust me when I say generalization prevail in the churches I went to. It's funny because right now I guess I'd fall under the label of 'atheist,' but I prefer to call myself non-religious because at the end of the day, it's a stupid label when you think about it... y'kno, the whole thing of not believing in something requiring a label. ;_;
(I know generalization in general is not exclusive to labels. I just think of labels as the perfect example to convey briefly, though.)
If you walk down the road at night and see a gang of punks, what is your first thought and do you act on it?
360 and walk away (inb4 hurrdurr). I live in a fucked up country where people kill each other just for looking at the wrong person in the eyes (not kidding here), PLUS I'm by definition a pessimist to the maximum power so I guess you can figure the rest out.
(Being a pessimist has its perks, though.)

I do, however, agree that by doing that I'm not helping the problem, it's actually the contrary. But it's either losing my life or 'helping' the situation get a little bit 'better'. At the end of the day, I like to think that it's out of my hands, and that much more work could be done if people in power decided to do so (I myself like to brainstorm about this from time to time, I even wrote a couple of papers... too bad I'm not wealthy nor do I have power ;_; ).

Are the times when generalizations are important for self preservation even though it's not politically correct and wrong in an utopia?
I don't live in an utopia, so yeah. As long as it's for self preservation, thinking on-the-spot kind of deal, and you live in a fucked up country like mine. Now, if I lived in a country like Sweden, Norway or Japan, I don't really think I'd care at all.

Do you live like you were living in an utopia or do you adapt to how the world actually looks like today?
I adapt... I guess. Not as in adapting 'daily', but yeah.
Do you question your values and what do you think of people who have different values?
oh yeah, I sure do and a lot. As far as people with different values/beliefs is concerned, I don't really mind at all... As long as they're not trying to push it on others, I'm perfectly fine with it. It's even better if I can dialogue with that person. I enjoy expanding my perspective, because everybody has a blind spot and I've seen mine in action a couple of times and it's not something to be proud of. ;_;
Can you admit to yourself when you're wrong and if so; can you make changes to yourself after realizing you're wrong?
Yes and yes.
Are you able to tell other's that you were wrong, do you find it important that people tell the people involved that they were wrong?
Depends on the situation. On some I might not say it directly, but I try not to let it happen again. Yes, It's important.
Are morals and ethics absolute or relative?
Relative. What is good for some is bad for others.
Is it okay to have sex with people with the same gender? (legal in country)
Sure, why not.
Is it okay for 22 yearold woman to have sex with a 15 yearold boy? explain why/why not. (legal in country)
Is it okay for 22 yearold man do have sex with a 15 yearold girl? explain why/why not. (legal in country)
Ignorance and immaturity is strong during those years, but it's also a learning curve. You can't just 'encapsulate' a person from the external world expecting for the "bad" things to disappear.

At the end of the day, in a personal aspect, I wouldn't do it, but I don't see a reason (other than body development) why it should be outlawed. For instance in Japan the age of consent is 13 (don't ask me why I have this information), yet their divorce rate is crazy low. Not that divorce rate is directly related to it, but most people tend associate them. Especially people who are against porn and prostitution in general.
Is it okay to use physical force to draw a line when words don't work? does gender matter and if so; why? we assume the person has the same weight and body type no matter gender, is it wrong?
Depends the situation.
Civil war? Yes.
During a normal debate? No.

Sometimes it's required to yell in order to get a point through, but physical force is no way to get your point across during a civilized debate. And no, I don't think gender matter at all.


Nice thread, btw.

 

[Zisly]

Were those the kind of answers you were expecting?
what about writing your answers to your own questions too?

Well, I was expecting 2-4 serious posts, 2 checked so far, let's see if we can reach more. I'll post my thoughts soon.

 

[Doniio]

Why do you wonder about these things?

 

[Shinmaru]

Space Holder, I'm working so i can't give a detailed answer, but I will when I get back. This is VERY interesting, good job Zisly.

 

[Scarlet Ayleid]

deserves a *bump*

 

[Zisly]

Do you generalize?
I do it a lot, in discussions for example it has to be done because else it's impossible getting anywhere, there are always exceptions to things so just because I say "the majority of bla bla does that" it doesn't mean you necessarily are one of those who have those characteristics. In everyday life I generalize, we all do, consciously and unconsciously, we always have these generalizations to things we've experience, seen or heard, it's a survival instinct I'd say and a way that make decisions easier. If you put your hand on a hot stove and burn yourself, you will have had a bad experience, you know what can happen and next time you'll be more cautious before putting your hand on the stove again. Maybe not the best example but whatever.

Even though I generalize it doesn't mean I'll never be able to do certain things because of my view of it. Every situation is life is unique, generalizations are just some "guidelines" to how the big chance of x or y being true in the group/situation. You're a human and you have the power to decide not to blindly follow your general view of something and taking it as an absolute truth of how things are, life is more complex than that. I believe generalization does a lot of good and that it's vital but with everything there has to be balance. You gotta know what it is and what it isn't. If you meet someone who you have a view on, be humble and give the person a chance to let him/her form your view of him/her, this of course if there isn't a big risk you'll end up on the curb with blood gushing out.

I do not really understand people who are completely against generalization and make people feel bad for doing it, it has its purpose, you do not need to be an ignorant prick to generalize. Ignoring your or the other's general view of something in situations where it can hurt may seem very noble and nice but to me it's just naive really if you think there's no chance bad things will happen. If you decide to take a big risk by being a "good person" and you then feel bad about whatever happens, I'll think you're dumb for not having any thoughts about self preservation. Like the example I gave with the guy walking down the street alone while flashing your wallet and expensive gold watch, if he gets robbed it'll suck for him of course and the crime is wrong, but I'll still feel that he was being naive that took that unnecessary risk. The reality is not as nice as we'd want it to be and we have to adapt to it, you might feel you're doing the right thing and that it's wrong to hurt other people, but we are all different and this should be learned quickly before something real bad happens.

I'll let people label me but if I get the chance to decide what label I can wear, I wont give it. For example politics, I have some values that fit in one wing and some in the other, if possible I rather take up a thing at a time and show them what my values are. If the label really is needed, I'll supply one that I fit the best in of course as I know generalization is needed at times.

Can you admit to yourself when you're wrong and if so; can you make changes to yourself after realizing you're wrong?
Yes but it can be hard.

Are you able to tell other's that you were wrong, do you find it important that people tell the people involved that they were wrong?
Depends on the situation, sometimes I do not really see it as needed and in some it is. I think it's important but you do not need need to tell someone you're wrong every time it happens.

Is it okay to have sex with people with the same gender? (legal in country)
I'm liberal to most things I guess that do not directly hurt someone outside the party. People can do whatever they want as along as they're old enough
and both agree to it. I really dislike the way we try to control other people today, homosexuality for example doesn't really affect us more than maybe giving us a "ewww" feeling when two guys infront start making out. We have the right to dislike seeing this but laws and rules to prevent them based on these feelings don't make sense.

Is it okay to use physical force to draw a line when words don't work? does gender matter and if so; why? we assume the person has the same weight and body type no matter gender, is it wrong?
I believe in physical force but not as first pick in situations, in civilized debates it'll never be needed. If you tell someone numerous times to quit insulting you and they wont stop, I think it's okay to draw the line with physical force but you gotta be ready that it will have potential consequences, both physical and legal. But I believe in it, it's a clear and universal "language".