Are we obsessed with labels?

Question

Just out of interest why do you think many people seem to feel the need to constantly label things. Do you think labelling things people experiences etc takes "something" away from them a kind of essence if you will. Labels are said to be there to make sense of the world. Do you think they really do that or in labelling everything do we "miss" something. Some things just cannot be put into words much as we try. Do they take from people's freedom in some instances. I don't just mean the obvious examples of racism although this is clearly relevant.

Answer 1

It is our inherent nature, for us to make sense consciously something must exist as an simple entity. Look at the news papers for example or any book - we have paragraphs. That is too chunk the topic into digestible pieces.

We simply state 'human body' yet we have a specific name for each separate entity that makes up the human body; eyes, ears, nose, arms, legs, fingers etc. We have so far recognized over 500 different muscles in the body, each with a specific name.

When we look around, for us to make sense of our world, we focus at one thing at a time. We are simply limited to intake certain bits of information. In other words for us to make sense of the world around us it has to be recognizable chunks. So we can define, connect, analyze etc.

In the same way society and cultures. Indian culture by no means is similar to French. Hebrew has hardly anything similar to English. So now if I had to analyze or distinguish how would I do that. For me to understand and analyze or distinguish anything it must be put into subsequent categories so it can be explained.

Yes we are all people yet we define ourselves by the color of our skin. It is simple necessity. If there was no labels there simply would be no uniqueness. Tigers, Cheetahs, Panthers, Lions etc are all cats, yet we define them and isolate them and label them, so they can be observed as a unique entity. In the same way we are Caucasian, Black, Hispanic, Asian etc.

Same with nationalities, each country has unique traditions, believes, characteristics etc. When we speak of French wine, Italian Pizza, Indian curry etc. Can you define and explain your experiences without defining each as a separate entity. How would you compare somebody from America, Canada, Britain and Australia - Each speak English.

So it is not that we actively chose to label as simply to make sense of our world, we must have defined entities. So we can relate, analyze, communicate etc.

Answer 2

I think labeling takes away.. away from seeing things the way they were meant to be seen. If you look at a butterfly you can enjoy it, but part of your mind says, that is a butterfly. I don't need to prove my point here, you just need to ask yourself. Also when we look at something such as a tree, if we decide to look at a tree on the side of the road for an hour.. how do we look to other people? strange, that would be the usual response so why not go with that, but why not look at a tree for an hour, what is there to stop you from doing that other than the fact that you label it as a tree and as such being labeled as a tree part of your conscious tell you it cannot possibly hold your attention for an hour.

Answer 3

I think that's a good question. It's human nature to categorize things and compartmentalize them. This mental reflex helps us deal with the constant onslaught of information from the world. So to a large degree, labeling is necessary and helpful. It makes some sense of chaos.

But I do really feel like labeling is abused, at least in current American culture. If you look around this site, you will see dozens of Q and A about "emos", "goths",  "scenesters" and "preps" etc. While these particular labels are associated with high school cliques and youth culture, I am getting further and further into my twenties and I see people my age using these kinds of stereotypical labels all the time.



What really bothers me is that it's almost always in a DEHUMANIZING and negative context. All of those words I mentioned are used as slurs far more more often then they are as compliments or neutral statements. People in their 30's and older still frequently terms like "r****d" that are blatantly offensive. But by labeling someone anything, you gain a certain abstract power over them. You dismiss them into the "emo" folder or the racial "black" folder in your brain.

So I would say that this culture is not only obsessed with labels but with using them negatively as well. It's the shallow, easy way out rather than delving into the complexities of people and events. So yes, a lot is  definitely being missed out on.  

Answer 4

Labels are general descriptions.  If you and I are both 'labeled' as human beings, does that make us the same?  We are both probably very different versions of a 'human being'.  Labels are bad, and sometimes dangerous, because they don't include the differences that exist in a group.  We definetly miss out on things when we use labels, we miss out on individuality.  But we use labels becuase it's easier.  Rather than think about 10, 20 DIFFERENT people, we just think 'co-workers' or whatever.  I don't know if labels take away freedom, but they can certainly make one more suspicious of another person based on how they look, how they act, etc.  Labels place an unfair, unproven judgement on people.

Answer 5

because its to do with being different  

Answer 6

...no, individually speaking...egotistical people may differ...

Answer 7

we do, but because we need to, to make sense of this world, but yeah you are right but sadly only people who love philosophy ever gets to understand that.

Answer 8

If your talking about labling people its our instinks to label people same as we label animals to know what is what For people this doesnt make one race better than another thats just people that lack something in their life and strike out at other races.  all animals do this too  we lable men men women women boys boys girls girls ectit helps when raising our young