Comparing John Berger And David Berreby's Ways Of Seeing

According to David Berreby, humanities are unlike anything else found in nature (par. 24). Human behavior is so complex that sometimes everyday actions by humans can even seem unreal when studied more in depth. John Berger and David Berreby both discuss how humans view other humans. Berger claims that humans, especially women, are seen solely as objects or sights. However, although Berreby claims that humans have subconscious impressions of one another, he would likely disagree that humans are seen as objects, instead seeing deeper, meaningful human connection within one another.

Throughout Ways of Seeing, John Berger uses European oil paintings and art to describe the relationship between women and men and the way that men view women. The

When describing the Judgement of Paris painting, Berger explains how beauty has become a competition. He expresses if you are not judged beautiful, you simply are not beautiful, stating, “But a further element is now added. The element of judgment. Paris awards the apple to the woman he finds most beautiful. Thus Beauty becomes competitive. Those who are not judged beautiful are not beautiful. Those who are, are given the prize” (pg. 52). The element of judgement towards other humans is an act that Berreby would agree happens, but Berreby believes this is done unconsciously. Whereas, on the contrary, the men that Berger discusses understand that they are viewing women for their own pleasure and are consciously aware of it. For example, Berger discusses the hypocrisy behind painting mirrors in women’s hands, stating, “You painted a naked woman because you enjoyed looking at her, you put a mirror in her hand and called it vanity, thus morally condemning the woman whose nakedness you had depicted for your own pleasure” (pg. 51). In Berger’s Ways of Seeing, he focuses on the main idea of humans viewing other humans, but he stresses how women are viewed and judged as objects and that men are consciously aware that they act this

Berreby does not claim that humans are judged as objects; instead, he claims we judge other humans for who they are as a person based on their behavior around others, and this subconsciously creates relationships, or tribes, in our lives. In Berreby’s article, he explains a study that took place at Harvard, telling how humans subconsciously rank similar groups into a hierarchy, ranking from best to worst (par. 16). This is a demonstration that accepting our place amongst others is something that happens without us even realizing. Although we see differences amongst groups and other humans, we accept those differences and find where we belong amongst them, taking our place. Berreby moves this point even further, stating, “What this suggests, Professor Banaji says, is that taking one’s place in a tribe, and accepting the tribe’s place in a larger society, are mental acts that happen regardless of the group’s purpose or meaning” (par 17). In a broader context, if humans are viewed beyond what is seen on the outside, judgments and differences can be eliminated, and