"Perspective gives us the ability to accurately contrast the large with the small, and the important with the less important. Without it we are lost in a world where all ideas, news, and information look the same. We cannot differentiate, we cannot prioritize, and we cannot make good choices." This is a quote from the infamous John Sununu.
Life is full of all types of different and interesting perspectives. There are so many different cultures, languages, and even different ways of life all across the earth. As a human, there are not too many people that you will encounter, who live and think just like you do. That, my friends, is where the word "perspective" comes in. The definition of perspective is "a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view."
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There are three different types of perspectives in sociology. Sociologists today employ three primary theoretical perspectives: the symbolic interactionist perspective, the functionalist perspective, and the conflict perspective. These perspectives offer sociologists theoretical paradigms for explaining how society influences people, and vice versa. Each perspective uniquely conceptualizes society, social forces, and human behavior. Symbolic interactionism, directs sociologists to consider the symbols and details of everyday life, what these symbols mean, and how people interact with each other. Functionalist perspective, each aspect of society is interdependent and contributes to society's functioning as a whole. The government, or state, provides education for the children of the family, which in turn pays taxes on which the state depends to keep itself running. the conflict perspective focuses on the negative, conflicted, and ever‐changing nature of society.
The next time you argue with someone, don't just have the ignorant mindset that they are wrong I am right. Have the strength and the ability to see why they might think and feel the way that they do. Could it be that they have been through something similar to this before? Could it be that, that is the only way they can see the incident because of what they were told? Be able to listen first, then speak later. For example, if there was a number six written down on a piece of paper and placed on a table with two people on opposite sides of the six there would be two different statements. If asked what do you see, one would state that they see the number six while the other would say that they see a nine.
Now even though only one of them would be right, you must say you can see why the other felt the way that they did. Even if you don't agree with someones spiritual views, beliefs, or political views, at least be open to their perspectives on things. Everyone doesn't have the same heart and mind as you do. You must always remember that, especially in any form of debate or an argument. A quote that I feel best defines perspectives in all is, "you can't win an argument with an argument."
