| Mar 7, 2006 @ 1:32 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem
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TiNkErGrRrRrR
Posts: 13,813
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Ok heres my questions:Do you think superiority is a positive or a negative emotion? Why?
Do you believe it's possible to maintain one's self-esteem without feeling superior to someone in any way? If so, how? If
not, why? Your answers are deeply appreciated. :)
I'm just looking to furthering my knowledge on this topic since I suffered a self-esteem problem at one point in my life.Which I did learn after to awhile to bring it back up and be proud of who I am.But never once have I ever felt more Superior then anyone else.
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 1:46 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem |
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Wulfchyld
Posts: 459
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Wow Tink, what a dilemma. How does one find a way to feel superior in an age of political correctness? You can dumb down the word and call it something else, however in the end you still feel superior to some one else in some way. Now splitting the hair is this, yes people are superior to others in certain things, denying superiority would be lying, yes? You can be a better cook and say, “I am just more practiced” that would be patronizing, right? Coming out and saying “I am superior,” sounds very egocentric, nevertheless it may be true. The dilemma is how to know your superior, have people acknowledge your superior (and they will), and not have a gigantic ego that pushes people away from you. The most revolting people I have ever met where the know it all one~upmen. I know a lot of stuff, stuff I shouldn’t, but I am a geek in a cleverly wulfish disguise. People ask me stuff and I generally have an answer, and if I don’t I use the net or library to find the correct answer. I so don’t want to be the disdainful know it all, and I wait for people to ask, however when you usually have the right answer people feel threatened and hang the know~it~all sign on your head. Now I am a realist and am not afraid to admit they are many people in the world (a staggering number) that are superior to me and many ways. I find solace in the fact I don’t let my ego get bruised by it. I live and learn.
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 1:52 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem
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TiNkErGrRrRrR
Posts: 13,813
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I find solace in the fact I don’t let my ego get bruised by it. I live and learn.
 I`ve learned that too..you took the words right off the tip of my fingers,*Live and Learn* ,but i learned it the hard way..I suppose one could say that experience is the best *Teacher*. 
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 1:57 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem |
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Loreli
Posts: 25,408
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Geesh, Tink! 
I think self-esteem should be countered with self-control so that a person doesn't have a "superiority complex". All men and women were created equal, we just have different looks, feelings, talents, thoughts and skills. And inferiorities or superiorities! Nobody should just think they are better than everyone else.
There is nothing more attractive than a person with confidence, but a more quiet, gentle confidence.
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 2:02 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem
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Jankia
Posts: 11,905
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Definatly a negative.
Nobody is superior to anyone else.Those that assume that they are superior to you are not,they just full of themselves.
An example we all know....Hitler and Hussien.
Many confuse intelligence,wealth and social standing with superiority.
We all know people that have all three but are seen as inferior when compared to ourselves.
In saying that, does that make us superior?
No,because we are aware of who we are individually and dont portray being above anyone else.
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 2:09 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem |
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TiNkErGrRrRrR
Posts: 13,813
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Geesh, Tink!
I think self-esteem should be countered with self-control so that a person doesn't have a "superiority complex".
Good answer..I believe thats true too..these are just a few questions I didn`t have the answers to myself and I do appreciate any comments upon the subject that anyone makes..No human being should feel superior over another.
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 2:10 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem
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Loreli
Posts: 25,408
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Aww, Tink. Sorry you had a down time. I think we all go through that, if it's any consolation. And, here's a  for ya!
Good topic. I know a lot of people that think they're "better than" others.
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 2:14 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem |
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Wulfchyld
Posts: 459
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If someone possesses a greater skill or knowledge what would it be called?
I can’t play a guitar at all, but am I equal to Eddie VanHalen? 
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 2:17 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem
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TiNkErGrRrRrR
Posts: 13,813
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If someone possesses a greater skill or knowledge what would it be called?
Smarter..but in no way Superior..we are all smart each in our own way. 
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 2:22 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem |
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Hiwayman54
Posts: 95
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Superiority and self -esteem are 2 different things as well as the same as I see it. If we constanlty compare ourselfs with others that are less fortunate we can smuggly feel superior to them.And if we compare ourselfs to those more forntunate we feel jealous and tend to withdraw.or complain,bad mouth,etc.If we compare ourselfs with only us,over 5 ,10 ,15 years back etc.We can look at our own growth as human beings.And then feel pride in our own accomplishments.(no matter how others view them they are ours).Eventually we see that we are not the only ones on earth.Not the only ones that have struggled to survive.Not the only ones who have made mistakes and have had to grow up.We start to see that ALL folks are our eqaul,and have value.
PS sounds good in the telling....but liveing it is another matter LOLOL
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 2:24 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem
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TiNkErGrRrRrR
Posts: 13,813
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 Great answer hiway!
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 4:48 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem |
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sirdidymus
Posts: 1,087
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there is no such thing as "superiority". there is better and worse - but not "superior".
true confidence and self-esteem comes from deep within. it's not a measure of outward projection (i.e. how much better looking one is, how much richer, how much more athletic) - it's something much more subtle and requires a lot of introspection - it's more a measure of how in-tune we are with who we really should be.
There are two types of self-confidence. There is "self-confidence" which is generally ego driven, it outwardly perceptible (others can pick up on it), and it's wholly - a facade at best. Then there is "Self-confidence" - which instead of being aligned with "ego" is aligned with "Self". True "Self-confidence" is not so much outwardly perceptible, it's of an inner nature, more personal - not something that's necessary to "project to the world" - but rather something to feel inside.
It seems that western culture is by and far, more pre-occupied with "self-confidence" whereas eastern culture seems to make more strides towards "Self-confidence" - just my view.
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 4:55 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem
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kattsmeow
Posts: 22,628
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can’t play a guitar at all, but am I equal to Eddie VanHalen?
Not in being able to play guitar.
Very interesting thread going here.
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 4:58 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem |
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SylvanDreams
Posts: 2,133
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Everyone is better than someone else at something. I don’t care who you are, there is someone somewhere who is better than you at something. And you are probably better than that other person…at something.
Wulf mentioned guitar playing. Eddie Van Halen may be good, and a better guitarist than Wulf, but Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and BB King just may be better than Eddie. But, more than likely, there is something that Eddie can do better than Eric, Jimmy, or BB. And there is likely something Wulf can do better than Eddie, Eric, Jimmy, or BB.
We all have areas in which we excel, and we may be or do better in those areas than a lot of other people….and we all have areas in which we do not excel, and where someone else is or does better than we …at least, in those areas.
I think that superiority, or “feeling superior to someone else,” in and of itself, is a negative emotion….especially when I don’t believe anyone is superior to anyone else. We all have our strengths…and our weaknesses.
I believe a person can have healthy self-esteem without feeling superior to anyone else.
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 6:14 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem
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AngelLight
Posts: 5,620
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For me, having a positive self-esteem completely excludes having feelings of superiority in relation to others.....if you feel really good about yourself and understand yourself to be good, worthy, etc. you also know that just because this may be so you are not better than anyone else....deep within you know who you are and you also know who other people are at their center (for me, at center would mean all people being inherently aware that they are good and are of love and of light) despite how they may outwardly act or behave at times.
When people behave "poorly" or "badly" or in a cruel way, one with a positive self esteem still knows that s/he is not "better than" ....s/he knows that the other is simply not at center, the place of awareness that ensures awareness of one's true nature as a human being....which is that of love and light.
When someone is coming from a place superiority, they are demonstrating that thin veil between outwardly expressed feelings of superiority and very poor self esteem.
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 6:15 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem |
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Loreli
Posts: 25,408
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well said, Sylvan 
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 6:17 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem
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altogirl67
Posts: 1,309
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I had a problem with self-esteem in my past and it still rears its ugly head once in a great while. I studied a lot about it and what I learned is that true self-esteem as seeing yourself as no worse and no better than anyone else.
The problems with self-esteem begin when we are younger and get messages that all people are not equal. This damages a child's self-esteem in that they begin to see things in themselves that they perceive do not measure up to other people. To the contrary, I suppose it could also be the beginning of a superiority complex by seeing things in themselves that they perceive are better than others.
So, I believe that self-esteem and superiority are two different things. Self-esteem is being in touch with your value as a person, which also allows you to see and appreciate the value of others and superiority is thinking that you OUTvalue other people. In answer to the question, yes, I view superiority as a negative, unhealthy emotion.
[Edited on 3/7/2006 6:23 PM]
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 6:22 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem |
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TiNkErGrRrRrR
Posts: 13,813
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 You`ve all given such good answer and like I said I`ve learned to deal with my low self-esteem and I started this thread to see if perhaps I was missing something..to learn more.Thanks..
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 7:08 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem
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kattsmeow
Posts: 22,628
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I think we all have self-esteem problems some time in our lives.
Is it because we see our selves as different? That we don't think like other people?
That we are not as smart or educated as other people?
How is it that we tend to feel this way?
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| Mar 7, 2006 @ 7:18 PM |
Superiority & Self-Esteem |
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Greystone1
Posts: 1,677
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Being superior AT SOMETHING, and being superior TO SOMEONE are two entirely different things.
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