In the vast theatre of life, where actions play out on an ever-changing stage, there’s a curious principle at work. It seems like it’s not the actions themselves that are judged as right or wrong, but rather the expectations and judgements of those who observe them. Delving into this intriguing premise, it appears Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and stoicism offer fascinating insights. For a touch of humour, let’s also tip our hats to Einstein and his theory of relativity!
Unmasking the Players: Actions, Expectations and Judgements
Imagine a scenario: a new software update is released. To one observer, it might seem like a major improvement, bringing much-needed features and enhancements. Yet, to another, it might feel like an unwelcome disruption, requiring them to learn new ways of doing familiar tasks. The action – the software update – remains the same, but the observers’ expectations and judgements create different perceptions of right and wrong.
From the Therapy Couch: Lessons from CBT
CBT has a lot to say about this interplay of actions, expectations, and judgements. It posits that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are interconnected. So, the way someone feels about an action depends largely on the thoughts they have about it.
CBT encourages people to question these automatic thoughts and examine whether they are based on evidence or on potentially unhelpful cognitive distortions. If it seems like an action is ‘wrong’, is that because it truly is, or is it due to a set of personal expectations not being met?
Ancient Wisdom: Stoicism and the Dichotomy of Control
Stoicism offers another lens through which to view this principle. At its heart, stoicism teaches acceptance of what one can and can’t control. It looks like an extension of this philosophy can be applied to our scenario. Can the observer control the action? Typically, not. Can they control their expectations and judgements? Absolutely.
By shifting focus from the action itself to personal expectations and judgements, it’s possible to gain a sense of tranquillity, even when faced with actions that initially seem ‘wrong’.
A Cheeky Nod to Einstein
It feels like a bit of fun can be had by drawing parallels with Einstein’s theory of relativity here. Just as time and space are observed differently depending on the observer’s relative motion, perhaps the ‘rightness’ or ‘wrongness’ of an action is also a question of observer relativity!
The Final Act
So, it seems like the theory that it’s not actions, but the expectations and judgements of observers that determine right or wrong, finds support from both CBT and stoicism. While it might feel like actions are inherently positive or negative, it’s often personal perspectives that assign these values. By examining these expectations and judgements, it might be possible to reshape one’s experience of the world – a premise that’s as intriguing as any quantum leap!
