Why do we put people on pedestals?

Because when you really think about it, it both destroys the
person put on the pedestal, as well as, the person putting the other on the pedestal.

Do you like it being on a pedestal or doing it to others? If so why?

Why does it destroy the person on the pedestal? (And could you clarify exactly what you mean by "put someone on a pedestal"?)

It gives you a false sense of superiority, making you think you are more than.

When I say "put someone on a pedestal", I mean, setting someone apart from the rest.....in a "good" way.

What if I really am "more than"? Then my sense of superiority wouldn't be false.

Then I would ask what makes you superior to the rest?

My dazzling good looks, intellect, likeability and altruistic nature, naturally. Do you disagree that such people exist?

Lol, those are all idea, you hold about yourself, they're not facts, and certainly don't make you better than. In reality (of which we all occupy) none of what you have mentioned justifies you thinking you're superior or someone else thinking you are.

Is there any basis at all on which you might consider someone to be better than someone else? (Consider someone who murdered a child in cold blood, for instance: would you consider Gandhi to be better than such a murderer?)

Well, first if all, I have to ask, what do you mean, when you use the word "better"?

How I see it is, no. We are human beings, you can't take from that. In regards to the murder of a child, that person needs help, and should be looked upon with compassion, because that is mental illness.

Gandhi and this murderer are the same essentials, only difference is one is well the other is not.

NotHigher, once again a premise steeped in pretension. You enter this debate immediately forgetting to define your terms, which is incredibly important so as not to be caught talking at cross purposes.

Now the idea of valuing some individuals above others is simply human nature and part of hierarchy. People deemed to do things for the greater good and self-sself-sacrifice are put on a pedestal and glorified as good examples of how people should be. Such people are given a platform to speak, influence and inform others interested in what they have to say. On the other end of the spectrum you get people vilified by the people of society showing strong disapproval, although you could also take it to mean singling-out.

Either way, I think you need to stop focusing on what makes everybody the same and start focusing on what make us all so different: therein lies your answer.

Is there anything that a person can do that would make you think they were a bad person?

Lol, what is your point?

The point is that if you think that actions can make you a bad person then you have already put everyone else on the pedestal compared to 'bad people'. We distinguish between good and bad people, then we categorise further. "Yes he is bad for theft but he's nowhere near as bad as that murderer", we then do that with good people or people who achieve excellence.

That not what I'm getting at, putting someone on a pedestal creates division, that's my point. Once you create this division, the person you have held with such regard can no longer relate to you.

And that's exactly my point. If we think of people as criminals then we already create division. We all create division and do so constantly in our lives. It's not abnormal.

Only because it has become normalised. It doesn't help us to have divisions.

It gives you a false sense of superiority, making you think you are more than.

When I say "put someone on a pedestal", I mean, setting someone apart from the rest.....in a "good" way.