Stubbornness and firmness are like coal and diamonds, the former relates to rigid and inflexible postures, while the second is associated with convictions, the fundamental difference is that stubbornness does not listen to reason, as opposed to firmness. the first is based on feelings, the second is based on arguments.
In principle, stubbornness can even be a virtue. This stubbornness is sometimes necessary to achieve goals that are not initially achieved, and it is also true when it comes to defending principles or resisting adversity, the problem begins when deafness and blindness arise in the face of facts, ideas or realities that call into question the validity of these causes, it is at this point that the difference between stubbornness and firmness becomes visible.
- Firmness.
- On the other hand.
- Is the result of a process of reflection.
- Basically.
- Of course.
- This also implies desires and passions.
- But these are subject to reason.
- This openness is what separates stubbornness from firmness.
- What’s the contrast between the two? We’ll see below.
“I prefer dependence tolerant to stubborn virtue. “
Stubbornness has several levels. Part of the whim, very typical of young children, in which the only thing that prevails is the desire for something, although this is typical of childhood, it is not uncommon to find that behavior in adults, in fact there are also older people. who has a tantrum.
A second level of stubbornness is typical of what we call “stubborn. “A fixed idea or purpose appears and there is no human power to change the way you think. They do not support their position, but they refuse to listen to any motive that contradicts them. They reject arguments against them, without opposing these other arguments. They just don’t listen.
The greatest degree of stubbornness appears in obsessions, in which there is an extreme passion for a certain reality, physical or mental, which leads to fanaticism and sometimes a psychological disorder. Common sense disappears, at least as far as a particular idea or objective is concerned; in addition to not hearing the reason, the person ends up being completely invaded by specific content.
Firmness or determination is the ability to be consistent or consistent with a particular idea, objective, feeling or reality, the result of a conscious prior process, involving reasoning, evaluation and conclusions.
One of the great differences between stubbornness and firmness is that the second remains open to new content, the fact that a firm decision has been made or that there is a strong determination to do or achieve something does not mean that it is absolutely irrevocable. , you can change direction, if reality justifies it.
Being firm requires willpower, conviction, and perseverance. There’s desire, of course, but not just that. There are also cognitive and volitive elements. The person has his convictions and not the other way around.
If firmness is a virtue, stubbornness is a problem, as the line between them is sometimes not very clear, it is not uncommon to see people proud of their stubbornness, they give the impression that it was determination or a strong personality test. , when it’s actually quite the opposite.
The stubborn refuses to listen because he suspects what he is going to say, he does not submit to analysis what he thinks, because he fears he will not have support, while firmness is based on judgment, obstinacy does. about prejudice and, as they are insignificant, they are never subjected to logical tests.
Stubbornness imprisons and isolates. It also blocks communication, this is not typical of strong minds, but of fearful minds, who take refuge in fixed ideas to protect themselves from the uncertainty and change that governs reality. Stubbornness and firmness are made of the same material, but represent two opposing levels of evolution.