33. The Danger of Justification

Burning Brightly · Nov 16, 2023 · 14m · transcript

The concept of justification is equal parts fascinating and terrifying. When our brains confront the potential for danger or major upheaval, especially the possibility of loss, it does everything in its power to maintain the status quo, even justifying really terrible behaviors.

We sometimes justify abusive or damaging behavior from our loved ones because we don't want to risk losing the relationship, but where justification is really insidious is with our OWN negative behaviors. We hold ourselves back or justify self-destructive actions because we assume the alternative would be just too…