Rationalizing Bad Behavior

The cluster centers on how individuals justify unethical actions using excuses like 'everyone does it,' 'it's always been this way,' or by accusing others of hypocrisy and projection.

➡️ Stable 0.6x Politics & Society
2,965
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#6448
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
2
2008
10
2009
23
2010
42
2011
60
2012
73
2013
103
2014
78
2015
89
2016
122
2017
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2018
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2019
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2020
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2021
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2022
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2023
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2024
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2025
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2026
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Keywords

E.g bad guys bad justify guys excuse premise good guys accuse sabotage people claim

Sample Comments

beaner Mar 1, 2021 View on HN

This is what people who make bad decisions tell themselves.

DonHopkins Nov 16, 2021 View on HN

That's what malicious people say.

saalweachter Dec 4, 2025 View on HN

"It's always been this way" and "everyone does it" are what bad people say to justify themselves.

egypturnash Jun 11, 2016 View on HN

Might even be people taking the spin of the description as an excuse to act like that.

onlyrealcuzzo Nov 3, 2023 View on HN

The bad guys usually think they're the good guy, is my point.

mjhay Jul 14, 2023 View on HN

"People claim thing I like is bad, so they must be making it up."

lostapathy Jul 9, 2020 View on HN

Don't fool yourself - both sides think the other is guilty of this.

reactor4 Oct 14, 2019 View on HN

Sorry to say but you’re the one doing what you accuse others of doing.

jdoliner Nov 22, 2017 View on HN

You'd be amazed how many of the accused said things very similar to what you're saying, right up until the point when they themselves were accused. It's not simple at all, people who claim it is are missing a great deal of nuance and, oftentimes, merely projecting this attitude in the hopes of masking their own transgressions.

dekken_ Aug 24, 2024 View on HN

You want people to think you're a specious disingenuous person? It's of your own doing.