google-site-verification: google4283fb30fde0af74.html
top of page

Solomon's Paradox

Part I:  Description

What is Solomon's Paradox?

Solomon's Paradox is a psychological concept that highlights the disconnect between our understanding of our own emotions and the emotions of others. We tend to have better insight into other people's emotional experiences while also offering them more reasoned, objective advice than we would take ourselves.


Why is it called Solomon's Paradox?

The name references King Solomon of ancient Israel, who was legendary for his wisdom. The paradox lies in that, even with great wisdom, he often struggled with his own personal choices and emotions.


Understanding Solomon's Paradox

  • Third-Party Perspective: When observing someone else's situation, we have distance and objectivity that's harder to achieve with our own problems.

  • Emotional Involvement: Our own emotions can cloud our judgment, leading to less rational decisions in our personal lives.

  • The Value of Outside Counsel: The paradox explains why we often find it easier to give good advice than to take it for ourselves.


Examples of Solomon's Paradox:

  • Relationship Troubles: You see clearly how your friend should handle a difficult partner, but similar issues confuse you in your own relationship.

  • Financial Decisions: You provide sound investment advice to a client, yet make riskier choices with your own money.


Part II:  Common Questions

1. Why is it easier to give advice than to follow it a la Solomon's Paradox?

  • Answer: Solomon's Paradox highlights several reasons:

    • Emotional Distance: We can be more objective and logical when we're not personally entangled in the situation.

    • Self-Protective Bias: Taking our own advice can mean confronting uncomfortable truths or making difficult changes.

    • Lack of Self-Awareness: It's harder to see our own emotional blind spots than it is to identify them in others.


2. Does Solomon's Paradox mean I'm bad at making decisions?

  • Answer: Not necessarily. It's a common human experience rather than a sign of a flaw. The paradox simply reminds us that our emotions play a powerful role in decision-making, even when we may think we're being rational.


3. How can I overcome Solomon's Paradox?

  • Answer: Here are some key strategies:

    • Practice Self-Reflection: Take time to identify the emotions that may be influencing your decisions.

    • Seek Outside Perspective: Talk to trusted friends, mentors, or even a therapist to gain that objective viewpoint.

    • Imagine Giving Advice: Pretend you're advising a friend in your situation, consider what you would tell them.


4. Are there any areas where Solomon's Paradox is particularly common?

  • Answer: Yes! It frequently shows up in:

    • Relationships: We may give great relationship advice, yet struggle with our own love lives.

    • Health & Wellness: Recognizing unhealthy habits in others is easier than changing our own.

    • Career Choices: Seeing a clear path for someone else's career, but feeling lost in our own.


5. Is Solomon's Paradox related to any other psychological concepts?

  • Answer: Absolutely! It connects to:

    • Cognitive Biases: Unconscious thought patterns that can distort our decision-making.

    • Emotional Intelligence: The ability to understand and manage our own emotions and those of others.

    • Dunning-Kruger Effect: The tendency to overestimate our own abilities in areas where we have less knowledge.

Part III:  Additional Resources

Academic Articles and Research about Solomon's Paradox

  • "Wiser Than They Know: The Solomon Paradox" (Grossman et al., 2020): An in-depth research study with insights into why this paradox exists. You might find it on academic journal sites like https://journals.sagepub.com/home/psp.

  • Original writings on King Solomon: While not specifically focused on the psychology of the paradox, reading about the source of the name can add historical context and a deeper understanding.


Psychology Websites & Blogs about Solomon's Paradox

  • Psychology Today - Solomon's Paradox: Offers a clear breakdown of the concept with everyday examples.

  • The Decision Lab - Why We Give Better Advice Than We Take: Explores the paradox with a focus on its impact on decision-making.

  • Verywell Mind - What is Solomon's Paradox?: Provides a good overview with links to related concepts in psychology.


Popular Science/Self-Help Articles about Solomon's Paradox

  • Greater Good Magazine - Three Keys to Being as Wise About Ourselves as We Are About Others: Provides a practical perspective on how to apply knowledge of the paradox for better choices.

  • New York Times - The Wisdom of Others: While older, this article offers an interesting analysis of the paradox through real-world examples.


Books about Solomon's Paradox

"The Happiness Hypothesis" (Jonathan Haidt): 

  • This book contains a section that discusses Solomon's Paradox in the context of understanding the human mind.


"The Art of Thinking Clearly" (Rolf Dobelli): 

  • While not entirely focused on this specific paradox, it explores many cognitive biases which create situations where Solomon's Paradox comes into play.

Part IV:  Disclaimer

These results were highly selected, curated, and edited by The Nexus Inititiative. To make this amount of complimentary content available at a cost-effective level for our site visitors and clients, we have to rely on, and use, resources like Google Gemini and other similar services.

bottom of page