Famous quote by Norman Jewison

"I think all Nazis didn't see themselves as bad people. I've never met a racist yet who thought he was a racist. Or an anti-Semite who thought they were anti-Semitic"

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Norman Jewison's quote looks into the complicated nature of self-perception, morality, and the typically subconscious predispositions that affect human habits. The statement, "I think all Nazis didn't see themselves as bad individuals", suggests that individuals who devote or support acts extensively considered as unjust or unethical may not acknowledge or acknowledge this within themselves. This touches on a mental phenomenon where individuals justify their actions to line up with an internal narrative that casts them in a positive light. Humans have an intrinsic requirement to see themselves as 'good,' and cognitive dissonance typically emerges when their actions conflict with this self-image. To fix this dissonance, people may distort reality or justify their actions through different systems.

The observation, "I've never satisfied a racist yet who thought he was a racist. Or an anti-Semite who thought they were anti-Semitic", highlights the frequently unintentional or unrecognized nature of bias. Many people hold biases that they do not consciously identify as racism or antisemitism. Instead, they might perceive their beliefs as typical, justified, and even enlightened. Jewison's declaration indicates that prejudice is regularly perilous, ingrained in cultural standards and individual experiences, and hence ends up being invisible to the beholder. This invisibility develops a barrier to self-awareness and modification since people may not acknowledge the requirement for reflection or correction.

In general, Jewison indicates the value of introspection and education in conquering prejudice and understanding human nature. Awareness and recommendation of predispositions are necessary actions in promoting tolerance and compassion. The quote functions as a pointer to question our assumptions and the stories we construct about ourselves and others. By doing so, society can move towards a more authentic and inclusive understanding of morality that thinks about the complexity of human beliefs and actions.

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Canada Flag This quote is from Norman Jewison somewhere between July 21, 1926 and today. He/she was a famous Director from Canada. The author also have 31 other quotes.
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