Agnostic.com
7 1

A teacher preparation course said youthful idealism peaks at twelve years and gradually declines in the teen years. Why do some adults, even in their senior years, remain so fervently — even rigidly — idealistic?

yvilletom 8 Aug 19
Share
You must be a member of this group before commenting. Join Group

Enjoy being online again!

Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.

Create your free account

7 comments

Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.

0

My thoughts, Because change is hard and scary, better to hold on to old beliefs than try to accept that things change and that what they thought may be all wrong. Fear of the unknown is powerful.

Change might preserve one’s health or life.
Have you heard of the ancient Chinese curse, May you live in a time of change?
Someone who feared it changed it to, May you live in an interesting time.

@yvilletom Everyone lives in a time of change, because we are always changing as we discover new things, Does not mean some people want to except it. The older people get the less they want things to change.

0

Don't look at me. 🙂
But, I think some do as a kind of emotional survival. It staves off the depression of an impending sense of mortality.

Heraclitus Level 8 Aug 19, 2019
0

Why do a majority of folk give up on Santa and the Easter bunny aroud 4-7 years...yet still hold on to heaven, virgin birth, walking on water and other myths?

Robecology Level 9 Aug 19, 2019
0

To maintain a balance in society.

allmighty Level 6 Aug 19, 2019
0

I would question the validity of that teacher prep course...

Re the teacher prep course’s validity.
First, power is an ability to effect change. It is not evil, although people without power rightly fear those with power.
Now, consider the pendulum effect. Pendulums gradually stop swinging.
First, youthful idealists have few allies and lack power. They are unable to effect change. With a gradual decline, they can quickly settle into realism, gain allies and power.
With a much later sudden decline they go to the opposite extreme, cynicism. With few allies they lack power, and pendulum-like, swing past realism to idealism and again lack power.

The goal is realism, allies and power.

@yvilletom I think that perhaps magical thinking or the imagination are better words to use here instead of idealism.... There are many adult idealists in the world... And also cynics.. To say that children become cynical at twelve doesn't sound right...

@Cutiebeauty The teacher prep course did not say kids become cynical at twelve, though my words above implied it. See the added “much later”.

1

Survival of the society

bobwjr Level 10 Aug 19, 2019

Which society?

@yvilletom theirs

@bobwjr theirs???? I don’t know what you mean.

0

For instance, a clue to idealism lasting too long is elders insisting, even demanding, that people “should” or “should not” do xyz relative to some cause or another.

yvilletom Level 8 Aug 19, 2019
Write Comment

Recent Visitors 18

Photos 193 More

Posted by EmmanuelRippinIf you're looking for a new game to dive into, ([playpokerogue.

Posted by johnnyrobishWell, somebody had to do it!

Posted by WalterGreensTo every one out there!

Posted by LenHazell53Well would you look at that, and who posted it

Posted by Mike-IMAOpinions base on facts and evidence can change the world.

Posted by ChrisAineWhere is everybody? Don't tell me y'all caught up with Xmas festivities. Anyway Merry Christmas free thinkers. May you get a kiss under the mistletoe..😊

Posted by ScribblerWhy is everyone leaving?

Posted by AryabratIsn't this the most logical and simplistic way to dismiss a fictitious superpower/hero? Or is there anymore way?

Posted by AvaBunWhat are your thoughts?

Posted by terenaskawsHow passionate are you in creating?

Posted by SpinlieselToday, in 1872, the last Indian war east of the Mississippi ended with the capture of Black Hawk.

Posted by SlarsAnother throw back from my orange years.. mad to think they essentially just paid us to play with big toys all day fun job...

Posted by AnabuceriasPhoto is worth 1000 words.

Posted by bobwjrThat's this group

Posted by TourirstMIA: Missing in Administration. I have posted this, twice and of course, it slides under the radar, understandably as Admin has left the building for good?

Posted by LorajayThis is a wonderful way to live as long as you take care of the necessities of providing for food and shelter first.

  • Top tags#god #hello #religion #world #video #religious #reason #atheism #hope #friends #truth #money #Atheist #humans #children #DonaldTrump #belief #Bible #laws #death #society #earth #church #faith #animals #agnostic #book #fear #hell #existence #government #Christian #evidence #philosophy #kids #freedom #beliefs #youtube #movies #freethinker #created #soul #religions #spirit #evil #sex #pray #Jesus #believer #Present ...

    Members 2,693Top

    Moderator