Is respect the same as liking someone?

Answer 1

No, they are not the same thing, although they sometimes compliment one another. The term "respect" is often misconstrued, or stretched to mean a variety of things to different people.

The origin of the word respect should give the best clue as to what it should mean.

It comes from the Latin respectus , and is the past participle of respicere which means to "regard," or to "look back at." This means that you reflect on what you know about something or someone, and decide if it or they possess qualities that you value. When you value something, you understand its worth, and you would be wise to protect and preserve it. When you respect a person, you value the qualities of their character, and you find worth in them as a person.

The word "like" comes from the Old English līcian which means "to please." It is taken from the Germanic term for "body." Thus, "like" refers to how you feel about something, and whether or not you enjoy the experience as your five natural senses are stimulated. You can like a particular food, but that does not mean you respect the food. You might respect the chef who prepares the food if you value their talent and skill, but that does not mean that you like the chef personally, or would get along with him/her as a friend.

It might be difficult to like a person you don't respect, but sometimes you like certain qualities of people whom you do not respect as a whole. Also, when you like someone, and consider them a friend, it typically goes hand-in-hand that you show respect for the friendship by treating them with courtesy and consideration.

"Like" and "Love" are degrees of emotion based on how you "feel" about someone, or how you feel when you are with them or when you think about them. "Respect" is an intellectual assessment of the worth of a person or item. In modern times, many people blend the two definitions, and see no distinction between them.