The Judgemental Nature of Humans

The Judgemental Nature of Humans

The nature of humanity is to practice judgement rooting from a combination of psychological, social and survival instincts. In recent times there is less need for the new generations to have such ‘survival instincts’ on a stand by, people have grown accustomed to their fastidiousness, projecting their personal bias and opinions on even the appearance of others. What is the need for such shrewdness? How are humans influenced to judge? Where is the line drawn before judgement sours into discrimination? Ultimately, judging others does not define who they are, it defines who is judging them.

It is often the incessant reminder of insecurity which draws the attention of identifying personal attributes in others appearance and behaviour. This could be a habit of pure intentions, such as admiring others, or even finding solace in relatability. Yet it's inadmissible to disregard the faults in our perception. Many judge others to feel superior, to gratify their own goals, and uncover the faults in others. Judgement is a reflection, a projection of bias and self doubt. Though it is normalised, is it ever necessary? This vice poisons humanity’s conscious, segregating ideas and expression.

Society cultivates judgment through external influences, embedding biases into our everyday interactions. Media, culture, and upbringing all play a vital role in shaping perceptions, often reinforcing existing stereotypes or societal expectations. One of the worst spaces to ever be exposed is truly any online platform/forum. The endless abyss of individual opinion is never a promising didactic environment. For example, more and more people fall into the trap of political debates which spew misinformation and vitriol to the eager public. Whether you accept it or not, you are a victim or influence to everything you hear and see. Social media, in particular, exacerbates this cycle, providing an endless stream of curated lives that distort reality. The pressure to conform to certain standards fosters comparison, which inevitably leads to judgment. Moreover, institutional systems, such as educational frameworks and workplace dynamics, subtly condition individuals to assess others through predefined metrics, further ingraining the instinct to judge.

While judgment is an inherent part of human nature, discrimination is its extreme manifestation where opinions and biases result in tangible consequences for individuals or groups. Judgment exists on a spectrum, ranging from harmless opinions to damaging assumptions. Casual judgment may lead to social exclusion or emotional distress, but discrimination takes it a step further by translating biases into action, whether through exclusion from opportunities, unequal treatment, or systemic oppression.

Judgment, though deeply ingrained in human nature, is a double-edged sword, capable of both insight and division. While it may stem from instinct or societal conditioning, its unchecked influence can erode empathy and hinder meaningful connections. If humanity is to evolve beyond its vice of scrutiny, it must cultivate awareness and accountability, questioning biases and embracing diversity. Ultimately, the ways individuals judge others speaks volumes, not on the judged, but about those judging. In recognising this, society has the power to reshape its lens, fostering a culture rooted in acceptance rather than assumption. All my own work~ Vrindiva<3 Thx for reading my lil discursiv-ish piece, pls comment and lmk ur thoughts! :)