Why are people so absolute in their judgements of others especially when they have limited information?
143873
A lot of the time, people aren't completely aware of just how limited their information is.  Additionally, we're extremely proud and confident by nature, and have been taught that we have the ability to 'figure things out.'  Added to this is the fact that we've been taught (in school, but also elsewhere) to draw conclusions from little evidence, i.e. to work with what we've got.  It's at times a practical approach to the factual, scientific world; not, on the other hand, so much when it concerns people and things which are very flexible and sometimes in a constant state of flux.  People are constantly changing, and we're so complex that even we cannot understand ourselves.  But that does not preclude many people from assuming a more intimate and detailed knowledge than perhaps they really possess.\n\nThen there is the fact that we have many "models" on which we base assumptions.  Depending on our own beliefs, experiences, and positions in life we are inclined to believe one thing or another.  We take the information we've accumulated and the knowledge we've gathered from past events and apply it to the ones at hand, even if it's not very applicable or appropriate.  People feel the need to conquer and understand things, and this is one method they use in an attempt to do that.  It's not fair, not at all.  It's not fun for anybody, least of all the person being judged and perhaps consequently unfairly treated.  Unfortunately, c'est la vie.\n\nI didn't mean to make such a jumbled answer.  It's a fairly simple question, but there really are so many angles to it.  Quite often, people are not conscious of just how judgemental they are and how much they jump to conclusions, and that expounds the problem.  And any resistance from either side just worsens the tension and solidifies any pre-existing notions.\n\nI think I could go on and on.  Suffice it to say, people are arrogant and pretentious, both by nature as well as a side effect of an "enlightened" society in which thought and analysis are valued traits.  We claim a right to knowledge and opinion, regardless of any effects.  I think the only way truly to deal with that is to take precautions on how we present ourselves, unfair as that may be at times, so as to safeguard against the possibility of anybody jumping to the wrong conclusions.  Ultimately, though, we have to let go of the need to be in control of other people's thoughts, their preconceptions and judgements, however much they may bother us.  There's a lot we cannot change in this world...
1110432
I think a lot of people believe what they say so strongly that they think they're saying what they believe, when really they're saying what others believe and what they in turn have internalized, for lack of a better word.  But I do agree with the answerer who said that all knowledge is based on authority; it's impossible to avoid that completely.  We are immensely affected by what we're born in to.  There's no getting around that.  I read a book last year (The Immoralist, by André Gide) that dealt with that concept a bit, and the author believed it necessary to completely kill oneself (not physically, of course) to find the blank parchment underneath; the original part of oneself that hadn't been tainted by society and family, and the one that could still be imprinted with truly personal and genuine beliefs.\n\nThat's a utopian ideal, at best.  To expect people to shed all that they know in the hopes of embracing something completely foreign, which may supposedly be more real and appropriate for them is really excessive.  Even if people wanted to do that, it's still an enormous task to undertake.  So to some extent, everybody repeats a lot of hearsay, if you will, in the guise of true, personal beliefs.  Some people are more "sheltered" than others and less aware of the extent to which their beliefs have been swayed and shaped by others, and some people have broken out of their molds in a manner that would have made Gide himself proud.\n\nPersonally, I think I say what I believe a good amount of the time.  I still struggle with a lot that I've learned growing up; things that I see still influencing my life even after I've chosen other paths.  An unavoidable fact of life, I suppose.  But I have learned to look outside of the box I was born in to, and also to step outside that box and look at it from a different perspective.  That helps a lot.
691639
Somepeople are not convinced anything exists until they see it.  With many of the things about being rare or intangible, you may never get those people on your side.  Others dont believe because of culture or upbrining.
303557
maybe b/c people might see us as weak or unloveable. no one wants to be judged as that.
373264
because some people are afraid to pay attention to a few little details and to get to know people who are a little different than themselves...
1051722
Any person who thinks that an entire group of people can be judged by the action of the few they know or heard about, is technically INSANE. \n\nSo, that explains why they feel just fine about it...... after all, they are wondering how others can sleep at night by allowing the "races" to intermix in marriage and the like. But did they forget that we are all ONE race - the HUMAN RACE, descendants of Adam & Eve. \n\nInsecure people often find the need to pump themselves up by putting others down. And putting down a whole class of people due to some, is just plain ignorant and so illogical that it's crazy.
1099308
Why do some people spend too much time on Answers criticizing other people whom they don't know; when it gets them nothing?
435303
One is narrow-minded and can only see it from their viewpoint.  \nThe other tries to keep some sort of objectivity and keeps personal opinion to him or her self.
429255
because they are not open-minded enough to see that people have different opinions and that they don't always consider with there own beliefs, and if they do see that the find it hard to accept and let the people have there own beliefs
351816
Not really. If you are blunt and honest with people that can be a great quality to possess. People will know that you do not sugar coat things and that you tell them exactly how you feel. Some people are overly sensitive and cant handle critism.  if they dont want to hear your honest opinion then they should nt ask. In that respect maybe people are conditioned to think that by asking someone their opinion they are going to lie to them to make them feel better. Good for you in breaking the stereotypical view of what should and how something should be said.
654173
You let people get to you because you have very little self-esteem, in other words, you have no faith in your OWN ideas and abilities. You have NO confidence in YOURSELF.\n\nTRY believeing in yourself and be CONFIDENT that you ARE right at least  about SOME things, so you CAN ignore comments from people that are nasty or provoking.
420966
Maybe ignorance is bliss. If you remain ignorant you never have to question ur beliefs and your outlook on life and therefore you are always right in your own mind. Its a lot easier than having to constantly evaluate your beliefs and question weather they are valid and to take the time and energy to learn and keep up to date with whats going on in the world. In short people r ignorant out of laziness and because they never were taught any better. So when people ask questions like that dont take it personally, they just want to be reinforced in their ignorant views because deep down they know they are really just scared to face the truth and insecure about that. Anyway im sorry you were hurt by that but just remember that the vast majority of people are not like that, those people are just louder. As far as breaking the chain of ignorance all we can do is ALWAYS look at our own behavior for signs of ignorance (descrimination, prejudice etc) and make sure we r not contributing to the problem, and also to teach our kids better so that the next generation has one fewer ignorant person. Thanks for the question :)
1127623
Many people are rude to cover up their own insecurity and lack of knowledge of the outside world. They feel that by being mean, they can balance the inequality to their side of the equation. Still, a wise person knows that there is no merit in arguing with a fool. A stupid person doesn't know when they have been beaten and are embarrasing themselves. The pursuit of knowledge and understanding is an ongoing process, and seeing things and exploring the world are fundamental to extending your grasp of knowledge.
516036
Some people cannot resist an opportunity to display their ignorance.
1116009
Because they are pathetically narrow minded
178373
because not many people would agree that they are ignorant or that not many people know what they do not know.
527970
Because no one in willing to take the time to understand others views.  We are so absorbed in ourselves we can't think of others, we are so certain that our beliefs are correct and are unwilling to take the time to listen to anyone else, only scream over them.  In the end we could all be wrong and never know the difference because we were unwilling to hear the truth.  On the other hand we could be correct, and never successfully witness to anyone else because we are viewed as hateful and ridiculous.