Tavris And Aronson: A Comparative Analysis

In reading "Mistakes were Made but Not by me," multiple accounts are given of traits exhibited by humans that are displayed subconsciously. The authors, Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson, begin by defining these traits and give readers the actual terminology to these characteristics. With various examples being provided to the reading audience they are then able to make a clear correlation between the behaviors displayed and how they may impact not only themselves but others around them. "Mistakes were Made but Not by me" has a theme which is centralized around the two key facets which are cognitive dissonance and self- justification.

Accepting only the best decisions in life is not always the right choice. Experiencing new things can increase people’s knowledge, and become someone of new and different value during their time in this world. They are able to obtain something that everyone will cherish when they face horrific situations, and overcome it. With all those successes, people are then given the chance to go down a new road. The change may be good, or may even be something terrible, but in the end, people will become their own person with a unique mindset of things. Taking opportunities can lead to positive or negative change.

Since the beginning of time, the environment in which one is accustomed to provides them with the choices that lead down paths that make their legacy. This environment can be negative or positive, structured or chaotic, rich or poor, all which give a variety of choices. Regardless of the different trials and tribulations we face ultimately, it is the choices we make in response that make us the person we become.

perfect fulfillment on earth requires understanding, and a true understanding can be reached only through

In her essay “The Ways We Lie” Stephanie Ericsson (2007) states different ways people lie in their lives and explains the reasons why people lie. Ericsson starts her essay, by explaining how she lied four times in just one day, and that she doesn’t feel guilty about doing it. Although at the same time she explains that everyone lies one way or another but there is no such a thing as a good lie. The author continues her contends by listing different types of lies people use in different situations such as: the white lie, facades, ignoring the plain facts, deflecting, omission, stereotypes and clichés, groupthink, out-and-out lies, dismissal, and finally delusion then she explains each in detail by providing examples.

They are the purest form and offer a direct way for participation in issues that directly affect the public. Referendums offer another way of participating directly and provide others with a way of commenting and participation in most of the decisions made in parliament. Referendums provide a vital direct link between government and the electorate which is otherwise unseen in representative democracies. They can help to promote political participation as well as creating a more informed electorate. Yet referendums, despite all of this are often criticised for the way in which they weaken elected bodies and do not provide a true gauge of public opinion, largely due to media influence in possibly spreading false information. However, as has been argued none of these arguments hold much weight, especially in the face of a system where the use of referendums have clear guidelines, as in Australia, to be used for constitutional amendments and wherever else is seen as fit by the elected bodies in power. Referendums are a tool which should be used more widely in today's political systems of democracy as they are a manageable and positive step towards a hybrid political system which effectively combines representative and direct democracy thus strengthening democracy

Many times when we hear from someone who has been on both (or more) sides of an issue their message has a little more meaning than usual solely because they can provide more insight from the other side. During his presentation Mr. Pearce said that ‘we need to learn to argue and not quarrel. That arguing with others gives us the opportunity to learn more about the other person(s),’ (Pearce). Mr. Pearce’s message was very applicable to the world that we live in today because we are becoming divided and less understanding of others and their beliefs. Not everyone is going to have the same values and beliefs and we need to learn to accept that as well as hear them out as to why they hold those beliefs and accept their reasons even if we believe them to be

According to Carol Tarvis and Elliot Aronson we self justify which is the justification or excusing of oneself or one's actions due to cognitive dissonance. Cognitive Dissonance is a state of tension whenever a person holds two cognitions, which are two beliefs that are psychologically inconsistent. When Mrs. Keech’s doomsday predictions failed her committed followers experienced cognitive dissonance. Their ideas opposed one another “ I am a smart person” clashed with “ I just did an incredibly stupid thing: I gave away my house and quit my job because I believed a crazy woman.”( Tarvis and Aronson 29) When a person is out in a situation where cognitive dissonance occurs it causes the person experiencing his two cognitions, which are physiologically

situation could have resulted in a preferable outcome. Every human – in some point in their life – reaches this

People read from an abundant number of sources and retain the information presented. However, if people forgot the source of the information, would they be justified in the knowledge they have gained? Having a justification for knowledge is a necessary condition to have epistemic justification. According Earl Conee and Richard Feldman epistemic justification could be gained through internalism. Internalism should be understood as a person’s beliefs that are justified only by ideas that are internal to oneself.

However, this is not advantageous for oneself because ones needs are not being met completely. According to this thought process, it is necessary to make decisions based on what is good for oneself. This will lead to a freer and stronger life because the needs of the individual are being met before those of

The enigmatic nature of justification, as written by the ancient Greek philosopher Agrippa, poses several problems within the world, both in its history and its future. In its entirety, Agrippa’s Trilemma provides rather bleak alternatives to what actually justifies our beliefs. Upon review, an implication arises that makes people question if they can truly validate their own views; soon, feeling content holding an original belief becomes next to impossible.

“If someone lives a virtuous and morally worthy life, then no matter how advantages or disadvantages come to him (excluding those that are his fault), he will lack nothing needed for true happiness” (Balaam 25).

These are the words that A, the protagonist of the story bases his life on. The power to choose wisely and rightly is most of the time a matter of how the problem is posed. Even though we try to be as logical as possible in taking a decision, sometimes we end up making illogical choices. So, it’s a matter of importance to get how people decide things to avoid bad judgments.

We must realize perspective skews with confusion when all sides are not in view. A complete selfless approach for the betterment of all is what's needed, and the truth is, we fail miserably.