Rationalization and Wrongdoings

Good morning!

Do you think bad people consider themselves bad people?

I started re-reading an old nonfiction book that I haven’t picked up in a while, and I was reminded in the opening chapter about how big-time criminals, such as Al Capone, often regard themselves as “misunderstood public benefactors”, not criminals deserving of punishment.

I’m sure you’ve heard stories or documentaries of even some serial killers that have claimed that they would never hurt anybody, even despite the pile of dead bodies left in their wake.

As human beings, we tend to rationalize everything we do. If I remember correctly, C.S. Lewis once talked about how when our actions no longer line up with our beliefs or core values, we “rationalize” by shifting our values, beliefs, and convictions.

For example, one may believe that stealing is wrong, but once he’s lost all he’s had and got to the end of his rope, he might steal bread for himself. To justify or rationalize his action, he will change his beliefs to say that “stealing is wrong unless you do it to fight off starvation.” From there, the rationalization can expand to mean, “stealing is wrong unless you do it to prevent being homeless,” and so on and so forth.

Unfortunately, the truth is that people are very often self-absorbed. People will do what is in their best interests or self-preservation and will rationalize their actions. This is why we cannot always expect apologies from people, because they might not understand that their action caused us any harm whatsoever.

To be a better communicator, both with God and with other human beings, let’s try to look at our actions from a non-rationalizing point of view. People say we “judge ourselves based on our intentions and others by their actions.” How about we judged ourselves based on our actions — as Jesus instructed us to do — and gave others the benefit of the doubt? (Or at least clearly communicated when we were hurt and explained our situations to people without “expecting” them to recognize their wrongdoings on their own?)

God bless you, have a great day!