It is a term in our language that is used to refer to the uncertainty or indecision that a person has about something. This is an abstract noun that denotes the quality of being perplexed, an adjective that came to Spanish from the French “perplexes” and which in turn comes, in its etymology, from the Latin “perplexus”, a word composed of the prefix ”because "Indicates totality, and by action of" plectere "that indicates" entanglement ".
Who is perplexed, therefore, does not know what decision to make or how to solve a certain situation. For example: "I still can't get out of my perplexity: did he really jump from the ninth floor?"
The feeling of surprise that we live before what causes perplexity does not have, by definition, a positive or negative character. Both options are possible It can be said that stupefaction (synonymous with perplexity) produces a certain degree of paralysis, as if time had stopped. It takes us a few seconds to absorb the idea of perplexity. In colloquial language, it is said that "I am not astonished" when it is difficult for us to understand what has caused the surprise.
The perplexity occurs before a fact that causes commotion. These are situations that generate surprise or impact and, therefore, prevent the individual from reacting quickly or fluently. Suppose an executive is going to participate in a business meeting with a potential partner. When he arrives at the meeting place, he walks over to greet the other person, but the other responds by spitting in his face. The perplexity, without a doubt, will take over the executive, who will dislocate before the reaction.
It is not enough that there is a rare event for us to express perplexity, we must have a certain capacity for wonder. People with great sensitivity or susceptibility are prone to bewilderment, as they are easily impressed. On the other hand, an individual with a cold and cerebral temperament will likely be more difficult to surprise and consequently less perplexed.
Whether someone is perplexed by a situation or not depends a lot on their sensitivity, since although the same fact paralyzes some, others live it naturally or at least without extreme astonishment. The perplexity or mental confusion that is paralyzed without finding a real cause that determines it can indicate the beginning of a psychosis. It also applies to cases in which the subject when faced with a transcendent decision vacillates between two or more options, reaching a state of moral tension.
