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We Should Judge More - by Andrew Perlot

andrewperlot.substack.com · 1,015 words · saved by 1 readers

“When faced with people’s bad behavior, ask yourself the following question: What fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticize?” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 10.30 Judgment isn’t cruelty — it’s clarity. Refusing to judge reality and the human actions constructing it isn’t a kindness to be extended, but a disservice to ourselves and society. It’s a surefire way to become ungrounded and confused. But let’s start with the obvious: the impossibility of nonjudgment. You’re always judging, whether you think you are or not. At best, you’re suppressing or distracting yourself from the judgments that arise automatically, or choosing not to air them. Judgments are so reflexive that the ancient Stoics used the term “phantasiai,” to represent their initial form. Yet these pre-cognitive judgments have little relation to reality; one of humanity’s great problems is our reluctance to push back against them. Anyone devoted to the truth examines phantasiai closely before givin

We Should Judge More "Don't judge me, bro," examined... Andrew Perlot Jun 09, 2025 25 3 7 Share Article voiceover 0:00 -7:17 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. “When faced with people’s bad behavior, ask yourself the following question: What fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticize?” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations , 10.30 Judgment isn’t cruelty — it’s clarity. Refusing to judge reality and the human actions constructing it isn’t a kindness to be extended, but a disservice to ourselves and society. It’s a surefire way to become ungrounded

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