We seem to be misusing a word around here, ATRL... let Professor Mariska give you a vocabulary lesson.

Hypocrisy is not synonymous with changing your mind. Hypocrisy is when a preexisting value conflicts with a present behavior and/or action, i.e somebody protesting the fur industry while wearing a fur coat. Note that this arbitrary person was wearing the fur coat while protesting the fur industry. In other words, they happened at the same time. See how the value conflicts with the behavior?

Value: Fur is bad (the value is inferred from the persons protest)
Behavior: Wearing a fur coat (this behavior conflicts with the previously mentioned value)

The definition does not necessarily require the conflict between the value and the behavior to happen at the same time per se, but any lengthy period of time (say three years) could simply be a change in belief.

For example, say I was a guest on the Ellen show in 2009. I told her: "I'm more of a cat person than a dog person".

Three years later, I adopted 7 dogs. I was seen walking these dogs with a t-shirt that said "GO DOGS!" At first glance I could be considered a hypocrite, as my value (cats > dogs) is contradicting with my behavior (7 dogs and a pro-dog tshirt), but perhaps my beliefs simply changed and I'm not actually a hypocrite at all.

I hope you enjoyed my lesson. We have a test coming up tomorrow, be prepared!

Yaaaas mariska!!!

Update the insatiable fiends library cards before they try to read!

Interesting reading

Are you an accredited professor, Professor Mariska? I think I'm going to have to report you to the Board of Education.

Nice to clarify this, but...

It's clear that you're writing this in response to the discussions around Gaga lately. The fact that it is not hypocrisy makes her support of fur clothing no less objectionable, at least not to me personally. Because the stance is still the same.

Sorry to be saying this out loud in this thread in defense of her.

This didn't need a thread.

you don't just change you mind about animals being slaughtered in the most hideous way for the sake of fashion, if it's OK with you just say it: I have no problem with wearing furs whether it's in the past, present or future.

It was just something general for ATRL to soak in.

I might have cheated on my final exams

Yeah I know, but I had to leave MY comment here as well then.

Question!


What if someone says this:
And then goes on to wear fur? Would that be classified as hypocracy? No shade serious question.

Refer to my cat/dog scenario! That person seriously could have just changed their mind about fur.

However, if somebody were to say that while they were wearing fur... well then yes, they are indisputably a hypocrite! There's some grey area in-between hypocrisy and changing your mind, but hypocrisy is generally when the value and the behavior conflict at the same time.

I see, thanks for answering in a mature manner.
I know better understand this entire situation.

Not all animals are slaughtered horrifically before they are skinned.

Though how can you tell if someone changed their mind or is being hypocritical. They would have to declare that their views have changed. And until you've heard from that person, you most likely would think hypocrisy as you have nothing else to base your views on besides those two changed facts. (I'm just saying, not trying to make someone or anyone into a hypocrite).

Keep the thread on topic gworls.

If it was a very long period of time then it's safe to assume it was just a change in belief! Everybody does it.

Thank you. Circumstances change thus opinions change as well. Sometimes we grow and sometimes we regress, regardless of that, people are allowed to change their opinion. A more obvious example of this would be a republican changing parties and becoming a democrat because of circumstances. Would that person be deemed a hypocrite for changing his beliefs? What about a Christian becoming an Atheist? Hypocrite or not?

I say no. Which goes back to my point that circumstances change thus opinions change as well.