“A person hears only what they understand. “
“A person hears only what they understand. “
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I agree with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. I think that we hear what we understand and the things we do not understand we ignore. This could be a problem when we meet persons with different views or if they have grown up in a different culture than us. We do not really listen to them and what they have to say if we don’t TRY. It might be so different that we remake the story so that it fits into the knowledge we already have. Of course it is not this way for every person in the world, but I think in general it is quite common. We are afraid to leave our thoughts about certain things to listen to something new which might change our way of seeing the world.
This could be very important to think about when you meet a person with different views. It is good to know that we in general try to stick to the thoughts and opinions we already have. So when you meet a new person you have to know that they might not want to listen to you, because what you are saying sounds absurd to them.
This could be a reason why some immigrants find it hard to get into the Swedish society. They might have come here because of war or pursuit. They only listen to what they understand and try to stick to their values. I just want to point out that this is not the case for all immigrants, far from there. It is the same way if a Swedish family moves to another culture; they want to stick to their traditions and thoughts about things.
What do you think; could this be a reason why some immigrants don’t get into the Swedish society very well?
(This is not suppose to be a racialist post)
Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/johann_wolfgang_von_goeth.html#ixzz1IG8e0d6T
/ Hanna
First I have to say that this was an amazing article Hanna. Many things worth to think about!
I agree with you but the things you wrote in the beginning, that we do not listen to things that we do not know, I have to say that it differ, it totally depends on how interested you are as a human being but in general I agree with you! In the question about the immigrants I agree with you as well but it depends on our schemas (as many things do). Very well written! :)
Good Article Hanna!
I think it could be both the immigrants and us, from birth Swedes fault. We have hard trying to understanding their culture and they have a hard time understanding the Swedish one. I think we all have to be more open-minded and we'll understand each other’s culture better
:)
Thank you for your comments =)
Yes of course many things depend on our schemas and a good to solution to this is to try to not think of them too much!
We have to be more open-minded as you said Nora =)
Racism is important to handle in a good way and swedes have it very hary to realise that maybe they didn't leave their country because they wanted to leave their culture. Probably it is another reason and therefore is it important that they can combine their and our culture because when I travel abroad I want to meet a new culture but also keep the one I have.
Very good thoughts Jakob! I totally agree with you!
