To be Right or to Win

To be right is a desire to get the correct facts. To win is a desire to be on top of others. These are two different things. However, people tends to confuse between the two.

A person who desires to be right is one that seeks the fact and dispels wrongs and myths. It is very different from self-righteousness which is an attitude that one thinks that he/she is the only one that is right.

A very good example of "to be right" is  "the earth is round" belief. In early days most people beliefs that the earth is flat and if one ventures beyond the edge, the person will fall over. A person who suggests that the earth is round is unthinkable. He will be considered mad or is branded "idiot". Pythagoras is the first Greek who suggests spherical earth. Magellan sailed round the earth to prove it. Space travel has already debunk the myth yet there are still groups who insists that the earth is flat (Flat Earth Society).

Why does Magellan waste so many years trying to prove the earth is round? Has he nothing better to do? He probably have the "wanting to prove what is right" attitude.

There is nothing wrong to want "to be right". Humanity progresses because of these people. They have a theory and they proves that they are right.

Mao ZeTong started the cultural revolution (文化大革命). Thousands if not millions were tortured and died because of his desire to keep himself at the top. Is cultural revolution the right thing to do? At that time the people simply idolize him and did not try to see for themselves whether it is right or wrong.

The above example is a typical "to win" attitude. A person who desires to win will do anything to win including wrongs and lies. They have no regard for others. They will do anything and everything to put down others and keep themselves at the top. Unfortunately, this is human nature. It is the survival of the fittest attitude. It does not matter what damages were made as long as they win.

Throughout history, this "to win" attitude caused untold misery to others especially by those who is in power. They are afraid of those "to do right" people so they suppress everyone and mercilessly purged them into submission.

These "to win" people will aim for the top. They back stab, they spread lies, they suppress truth, they kill just to climb to the top. These people are everywhere.

Would you rather be one that "aims to be right" and accept your mistake when you are proven wrong or simply insists that you are right and try to argue your way out just to win?

My motto is "If you insists that you are right, you stopped reasoning".