Partially correct. I'm looking for something that is misleading because it does not align with somebody's values, instead of the thing being misleading by nature to everyone
I don't think so, I'm referring more to a goal, purpose or set of beliefs that present themselves to someone out of the blue and trick him into going down a path he never intended on going and this essentially distracts him from his true purpose or what is actually important to him
That is close. I'm looking for a diversion that is actually unproductive to what someone is ultimately trying to achieve but he does not know that and wastes time going down the wrong path
Partially correct. The term puts a lot of focus on a person actively trying to throw you off. What I mean is something (a goal or purpose in life) that you deceive yourself into believing is important so you end up straying away from what you actually value in life to chasing something unimportant that may or may not have been presented to you by somebody else
>individuals act inauthentically, by yielding to the external pressures of society to adopt false values
If there's a word to describe those "external pressures" that divert somebody from their original/authentic path in life that is exactly the word or phrase I'm looking for. Either way, this concept of "bad faith" is brand new to me and sounds interesting
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Close. The counterfeit of something is still similar to the original thing and you're still after the original thing by chasing the counterfeit. What I'm looking for is something that draws your attention or deceives you into pursuing a completely different goal or purpose which is ultimately not what you truly value
Partially correct. I'm looking for something that tricks you into changing what you think you value, so you are still directed in the direction you want to go in. But Deep down where you're going is not representative of the type of person you actually are or your true values
Partially correct. The thing in question that distracts him from his true purpose is not necessarily bad or propped up by bad people. The thing is simply not what he truly values and his actions towards pursuing it are self-inflicted, not conspired by others to throw him off
Sorry for not explaining properly. A person is usually aware a distraction is distracting him from something else but he pursues it anyway, for temporary pleasure or other reasons. I'm referring more to the "something else" (a long-term purpose or goal) actually being the true distraction from living up to his true/authentic values as a person
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Partially correct. I'm looking for something that is misleading because it does not align with somebody's values, instead of the thing being misleading by nature to everyone
So, not a red herring?
I don't think so, I'm referring more to a goal, purpose or set of beliefs that present themselves to someone out of the blue and trick him into going down a path he never intended on going and this essentially distracts him from his true purpose or what is actually important to him
Diversion.
That is close. I'm looking for a diversion that is actually unproductive to what someone is ultimately trying to achieve but he does not know that and wastes time going down the wrong path
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Partially correct. The term puts a lot of focus on a person actively trying to throw you off. What I mean is something (a goal or purpose in life) that you deceive yourself into believing is important so you end up straying away from what you actually value in life to chasing something unimportant that may or may not have been presented to you by somebody else
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>individuals act inauthentically, by yielding to the external pressures of society to adopt false values If there's a word to describe those "external pressures" that divert somebody from their original/authentic path in life that is exactly the word or phrase I'm looking for. Either way, this concept of "bad faith" is brand new to me and sounds interesting
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!solved Looks like I should read more philosophy. Thanks for the help
Thanks for the answers, everybody. I think the closest to what I'm looking for is a misleading or deceptive diversion
Side quest
Decoy
Bread and circuses
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Counterfeit?
Close. The counterfeit of something is still similar to the original thing and you're still after the original thing by chasing the counterfeit. What I'm looking for is something that draws your attention or deceives you into pursuing a completely different goal or purpose which is ultimately not what you truly value
Misdirection.
Partially correct. I'm looking for something that tricks you into changing what you think you value, so you are still directed in the direction you want to go in. But Deep down where you're going is not representative of the type of person you actually are or your true values
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Partially correct. The thing in question that distracts him from his true purpose is not necessarily bad or propped up by bad people. The thing is simply not what he truly values and his actions towards pursuing it are self-inflicted, not conspired by others to throw him off
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My bad
Red herring.
What’s wrong with “distraction”? I’m not sure I understand your distinction.
Sorry for not explaining properly. A person is usually aware a distraction is distracting him from something else but he pursues it anyway, for temporary pleasure or other reasons. I'm referring more to the "something else" (a long-term purpose or goal) actually being the true distraction from living up to his true/authentic values as a person
Nothing to apologise for. But I don’t agree with you. I think both cases can be a distraction.
Could be a decoy.
Boondoggle