Why is it so hard for people to admit it when they are wrong?

[msc545]

Updates

+1 y

Disagreement is not the same thing as a mistake. Try to understand the difference.

Updates

+1 y

Personal comments directed at me or others are going to be removed. This is not a place for that crap.

[lightbulb27]

I figured you could tell me...

I have admitted I was wrong as I tend to consider other viewpoints and often look to understand others viewpoint. But not often.

Our brains don't want to change their wiring... for their wiring is what we learned emotionally. Instead... we will fight to maintain what we believe, even if it's wrong It's not logic, it's emotions controlling people. The sub conscious mind of emotions is an 800lb gorilla that does not want to change. It will only change one when observes themselves, that requires deep introspection, or there is some fundamental shift.

In general... saying one was wrong feels weak and it makes us feel bad because we don't like to be wrong. In reality though... what is "wrong" is that we didn't have the perspective of the other person and with additional insight. The other problem is that by admitting wrong or fault, it means we wasted time or caused harm. That feels awful. Only when we can see to the other side of this for the good learned and gained, for the positive change, can we make the shift.

[razelove]

I think it depends on the person. For me it's generally only difficult to admit I'm wrong if it has to do with money or when I'm drunk. Given evidence to the contrary of my paradigm that is.

If it's an opinion or something than it isn't so black and white, then "wrong" itself is a construct. When the needle is moved far enough and substituted some groups will reverse previous beliefs and ideology for convenience, and 2+2 indeed equals 5 for the majority that it previously equaled 4.

We haven't had the idea of objectivity, and much less so stoicism or science for long in human history. The loudest voice is still most often the most "correct" voice.

[Apple1996]

Some people have too much pride to admit it or have a know-it-all personality so they seriously never think that they are wrong

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Well, because the truth can be embarrassing also the truth can hurt. The way I see things, it's better to own up to the truth then live a lie.

[ProbablyClueless]

Ego. People tie up their opinions, lifestyles, sense of ethics, etc.; into their ideas. They have a lot riding on the idea that their view of the world is correct. Many people have destroyed relationships and otherwise made a lot of decisions based on those ideas, so you can imagine that most people wouldn't want to confront the possibility that they might be the asshole.

If they acknowledge that they're wrong about one thing, they have to start calling other things into question, and usually that's pretty uncomfortable.

[normalice]

People invest their time and self image in what they believe they know. Especially for older people, ripping that all down without resupplying them with the energy and time to rebuild a new one is almost as painful as real violence.

[slatyb]

Because some beliefs are central to their identity and membership in their community.

[TerribleTurk]

Egoism is one of the most dominant emotions in humans. When you are applauded in front of a crowd, it feels extremely pleasant and you want more.

Admitting your mistakes means violating that caressed ego, which is scary for most people.

[Roudyrebel8]

Ego it's all ego

[exitseven]

I don;t know. It has never happened to me.