Something that popped up over in the "Perspectives on Atheism" thread made me wonder on people's opinions on the matter, should respect be given by default or earned? Who deserves respect, who do we respect and why?
My own personal view is somewhat conflicting I guess but does tend to fall more towards the "earned" side of the fence. I feel more that we should "treat people politely" rather than "with respect" until they earn it. Most people seem to have a problem discerning between the two but by that I simply mean upon meeting you, providing you aren't doing something that offends me, I will treat you courteously, I may even acknowledge your authority, but I will not hold any particular regard for you.
As for who deserves respect... that is a more complicated issue. In general I respect people who display selflessness, kindness and open-mindedness but in saying that I also have deep respect for courage, intelligence, creativity, rationality and originality etc... many of which seem to contradict each other. Sort of like, do I respect a soldier who fights in a war I feel we shouldn't be involved in? Or a brilliant and intelligent person who uses their gifts for personal gain? I guess I feel as though there are traits I respect in people but their personality can override that... or that I can respect aspects of a person but not the person themselves.
For example, people always tell us we should respect our elders due to their wisdom and experience, but I won't abide by that belief if they treat me badly.
So, who do you respect? Who deserves respect? Why do you respects them? Should we respect people by default, or should they earn it? Do some of these things apply automatically to certain groups and not others? Should you automatically respect someone who respects you?
Discuss, feel free to pose your own questions related to this ridiculously broad topic.
My own personal view is somewhat conflicting I guess but does tend to fall more towards the "earned" side of the fence. I feel more that we should "treat people politely" rather than "with respect" until they earn it. Most people seem to have a problem discerning between the two but by that I simply mean upon meeting you, providing you aren't doing something that offends me, I will treat you courteously, I may even acknowledge your authority, but I will not hold any particular regard for you.
As for who deserves respect... that is a more complicated issue. In general I respect people who display selflessness, kindness and open-mindedness but in saying that I also have deep respect for courage, intelligence, creativity, rationality and originality etc... many of which seem to contradict each other. Sort of like, do I respect a soldier who fights in a war I feel we shouldn't be involved in? Or a brilliant and intelligent person who uses their gifts for personal gain? I guess I feel as though there are traits I respect in people but their personality can override that... or that I can respect aspects of a person but not the person themselves.
For example, people always tell us we should respect our elders due to their wisdom and experience, but I won't abide by that belief if they treat me badly.
So, who do you respect? Who deserves respect? Why do you respects them? Should we respect people by default, or should they earn it? Do some of these things apply automatically to certain groups and not others? Should you automatically respect someone who respects you?
Discuss, feel free to pose your own questions related to this ridiculously broad topic.