Correcting problems not people

[LotusCarsLtd]

I am discussing for my weekly psych paper the issue of correcting problems and not people.

I strongly agree that when we correct people we must criticize their actions but not the people themselves, since doing so can put them on the defensive and drive them further into their problem.

I wanted to also mention that people are simply human, and that sometimes we simply cannot avoid making mistakes; thus it logically seems useless to criticize people versus problems, since the problem is what needs addressing; the person is simply human.

But is this a correct line of thinking vis-a-vis Catholic teaching on the subject of rebuking sinners? This is especially in light of the fact that while we are to attack problems, humans nonetheless are responsible for creating those problems through various degrees of guilt and free will.

Pax Tecum.

 

[StCsDavid]

So by addressing problems and not people, one could say that it wasn’t that Ted Bundy was an evil person, it was only the umpteen murders he committed that were evil. He was only human right? We shouldn’t criticize him. Hmmm…having trouble getting there.

I think one needs to exercise prudence when rebuking the sinner, but it seems there are times when a person needs criticism to help them find the right path, or even for their own safety. Just criticizing the action only makes them think they can do the sinful action as long as they don’t get caught by you.

 

[The_Stig]

The paper seems like a natural for discussing the ancient principle of hating the sin and loving the sinner…otherwise expressed in the definition of true charity as willing the good of another in all things.

 

[ready]

I am discussing for my weekly psych paper the issue of correcting problems and not people.

I strongly agree that when we correct people we must criticize their actions but not the people themselves, since doing so can put them on the defensive and drive them further into their problem.

I wanted to also mention that people are simply human, and that sometimes we simply cannot avoid making mistakes; thus it logically seems useless to criticize people versus problems, since the problem is what needs addressing; the person is simply human.

But is this a correct line of thinking vis-a-vis Catholic teaching on the subject of rebuking sinners? This is especially in light of the fact that while we are to attack problems, humans nonetheless are responsible for creating those problems through various degrees of guilt and free will.

Pax Tecum.

Your thinking is perfectly sound to me. About the Catholic Church, I can only think that the Church would agree with you.