Hi, today I would like to share about the interesting topic, namely "Does everyone have the right to be a righteous person?" The main reason why I choose that topic because not everyone braves enough to learn something from the wrongdoings and how they leave their old behavior to shape new one, To be a righteous person, we must admit our mistakes first, after that we leave those mistakes permanently and start new habits. In general, in the context of human rights and self-potential, everyone has the right to live a life that is right and to have views that they consider right. However, the meaning of "a righteous person" varies greatly depending on the lens used.
Here is a review from a psychological perspective:
Psychological View of the Concept of "Righteous Person"
The science of psychology tends not to use the term "righteous person" in an absolute moral or spiritual sense. Instead, psychology focuses more on the concepts of adaptive behavior, mental health, emotional maturity, and morality based on cognitive and social development.
Psychology views that individuals have the potential to develop in a better direction (self-actualization) and make ethical choices, but rejects the single concept of absolute truth.
1. Behavior Considered "Right" Psychologically
In psychology, characteristics that are considered to contribute to well-being and healthy social functioning (often broadly associated with living life "right") include:
- Integrity and Authenticity: Living in harmony between self-values (internal) and actions (external).
- Empathy and Moral Compass: The ability to understand and feel the feelings of others, and to act in accordance with socially accepted moral standards to avoid harm to oneself and others.
- Resilience and Adaptability: Being able to cope with life's pressures and learn from mistakes (maturity).
- Self-Awareness (Metacognitive): The ability to reflect on one's own thoughts and actions.
2. Criticism of "Feeling the Most Righteous"
On the other hand, psychology is very critical of the concept of "feeling the most righteous" (often referred to as self-righteousness or God Complex). This attitude is seen as maladaptive behavior and can actually damage interpersonal well-being.
Negative Characteristics of "Feeling the Most Righteous":
- Cognitive Bias: Tend to only accept information that supports one's own views (Confirmation Bias) and ignore conflicting evidence.
- Egoscentism and Lack of Empathy: Difficulty seeing from other people's perspectives and the belief that their views are the only valid ones.
- Defense Mechanism: Often a psychological shield to protect vulnerable self-esteem (deep insecurity).
- Rejection of Criticism: Viewing criticism as a personal attack, which hinders personal growth and the ability to learn from mistakes.
⚖️ Conclusion
In essence, in psychology, what is more important than being a "righteous person" is being a whole (holistic), self-aware, and adaptive person, who is open to the possibility that they may be wrong and continuously strives to grow."