The Compulsiveness To Judge
We have all been judged — sometimes harshly, sometimes unfairly. And we’ve also judged others in the same way. The modern trend is to blame people for judging, but judgment itself is a natural instinct. It exists in your mind because it was one of the top survival skills shaped by evolution. In the jungle, you had to assume a tiger might appear at any moment. Even the rustling of leaves had to be judged carefully — was it just the wind, or something that could kill you?
Human beings today aren’t that different. We judge others by how well-groomed they are, by their appearance, and by how they carry themselves. Someone who looks sharp, dresses well, and is neatly groomed will almost always attract more trust than someone who doesn’t — even if the well-dressed person is, in truth, a terrible human being. Still, perception is shaped first by what we see.
The problem is when we take judgment too far. We start believing that what we feel is absolute truth. This is how biases and stereotypes are born. The real question isn’t why we judge — that’s evolutionary and can’t simply be switched off. Instead, we should ask: Can my assessment be wrong? How am I forming this opinion? What am I basing it on? That rational reflection is the difference between blind judgment and useful insight.
Racism is a prime example. You collect certain information, form a bias, and then apply it blindly to anyone who belongs to that race. When you meet someone new, instead of showing basic courtesy, you let your bias dictate your behavior. That’s where it turns harmful. And the worst part of racism isn’t just treating someone badly — it’s defending that behavior and refusing to admit you were wrong.
In the end, appearances do matter. If you feel you’re the victim of harsh judgments, ask yourself: What’s driving those judgments? Is it the way you speak, or the way you present yourself? Maybe your submissive behavior needs to change, or maybe your grooming needs improvement. And when you’re the one doing the judging, use your instincts, yes — but also recognize your biases, and don’t be too harsh on others.
Our beliefs come from how we understand the world. But what if you lack the basic skill of reading people, and instead of admitting that, you choose to judge the world by flawed parameters that don’t even make sense? That’s not just ignorant — it’s foolish. Don’t fall into that trap.