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criticism



criticism causes typical responses in most people

before examining the truth of the criticism 
we often have an emotional reaction
which most people describe as hurt

an important thing for the recipient 
is whether the criticism has any truth
the reaction should involve acknowledging any truth
at least firstly internally

another important thing for the  recipient is whether 
the criticism is intended to be humorous

humour can be kindly and mutual or shared
or it can be harsh and intended to hurt
making that decision is important

if the criticism is not shared humour and not true
it is unethical behaviour 

if the criticism is not shared humour but is true
it may be useful advice
but normally this should be given with care  and privacy

if the criticism is shared humour and not true
it is acceptable to all
​as the shared humour means no problem

if the criticism is shared humour but true 
it is also acceptable by agreement 
as the shared humour means the recipient
has acknowledged the truth
and can cope with it  

our culture has  come to consider the concept of criticism
in a simplistic, reactive way
to simply object to criticism

on the grounds that it is hurtful or offensive
misses all the above categories 

hurtful or offensive simply means that the recipient
had a negative emotional reaction
it does not imply ethical fault

the 'hurt' or offense reaction may be appropriate or not
but in itself it means simply this:
that something needs to be adjusted 
either in the person getting or giving the criticism

one example might be that the recipient
needs to be less sensitive 
ie to not surrender to emotions so easily

a number of such examples are evident these days
the criticism of religions is practically taboo
 mention of race or ethnicity can be incendiary
and sexual preferences can become taboo 

keeping these topics in cotton wool 
by suppression 
only worsens the emotional over reactivity 
to criticism 
better to have open discussion and humour 
to release all the fear and silence








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  • introduction
    • emotion : definition >
      • how the mind works
      • why live
      • why be happy
    • DNA >
      • survival
      • artificial intelligence
      • the self
      • reasons for living overlap
      • behind the reasons >
        • dna extended phenotype
        • overcome adversity
      • Meaning, which makes us content
    • who are you
    • DNA the architect of mind​
    • happiness fear and humour
  • the uselessness of mystery
  • invent happiness
    • unhappiness
    • positive emotions
    • negative emotions
    • mechanisms >
      • programmed
  • failures of emotions
    • the master
    • the gap
    • the other side of the gap
    • ignorance
    • binary versus analogue
    • blindness
    • challenges
    • escalation
    • power
    • mental illness is emotions out of control
    • drugs
    • crime
  • solutions
    • simple rules
    • diligence
    • focus
    • equanimity
    • awareness
    • intuitive
    • DNA vs you
  • humour
  • fear
  • depression
  • emotion meter
  • quiz
    • quiz answer
  • religion
  • questions for you
  • Emotions are autonomous
  • moods , feelings
  • the self and beneficial AI
  • you don't know what you are doing
  • emotions as weapons
  • stoicism
  • derivative thinking
  • taming the amygdala
  • criticism
  • philosophy
  • dna directives.
  • philosophers and emotions
  • philosophers
  • dna the designer...proof
  • response to emotions
  • science and emotion
  • social behaviour and emotions
  • emotions and politics
  • conatus
  • science
  • modern socioeconomic happiness
  • free will
  • introduction
  • dopamine and neurotransmitters
  • input process output