Hardiness with Dr Paul Taylor Mojo Monday - Judging Others: Why Curiosity Is Often the Wiser Choice With Carly Taylor
Dec 14, 2025
Carly delves into the inner voice that judges others, highlighting its evolutionary roots. She explains how harsh judgment fuels negativity and suggests curiosity as a healthier alternative. By using insights from Stoic philosophy and research, she emphasizes the power of perspective-taking to foster compassion. Carly encourages listeners to pause and get curious instead of leaping to judgment, which can lead to calmer interactions and reduced personal suffering. Embracing this mindset can transform how we relate to others.
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Judgment Is Evolutionary But Often Unhelpful
- Judgment is hardwired and evolved to make quick survival assessments about trust and threat.
- Carly Taylor notes that the unhelpful, harsh kind of judgment fuels gossip and self-righteousness.
Pause And Ask A Curious Question
- Pause when judgment arises and ask, "I wonder why they see it that way?"
- Carly Taylor explains that adopting another's perspective lowers reactivity and increases compassion.
Curiosity Calms The Nervous System
- Perspective-taking widens your view and calms your nervous system by softening the inner judge.
- Research from Stanford and UC Berkeley shows perspective-taking reduces stress and raises compassion.