"Politics v. Empathy"

[BigBallinStalin]

Interesting article that describes how perceiving another's political outlook leads to an inability to empathize with another person. Sounds like common sense, but it's not really put into practice by many people. ( I assume that for many people even if they were aware of this common sense, they'd still fall victim to it. This is what tends to happen in these fora too.)


Anyway, good read; thought I should share:

http://bigthink.com/the-moral-sciences-club/politics-vs-empathy


It's a step in the right direction to understanding other people's viewpoints. I think Lootifer tends to avoid painting himself with a particular political view in order to dodge this negative effect. I suspect he's an evil communist. This is why I don't like labeling myself. People apply labels and then arrive to conclusions without considering the actual content of the (perceived) opposition's message.

[Dukasaur]

It's a scary subject to delve into. Always one is struck by how much of human behaviour is dumb animal instinct and how little input the so-called rational mind really has into things.

[kentington]

It's a step in the right direction to understanding other people's viewpoints. I think Lootifer tends to avoid painting himself with a particular political view in order to dodge this negative effect. I suspect he's an evil communist. This is why I don't like labeling myself. People apply labels and then arrive to conclusions without considering the actual content of the (perceived) opposition's message.

Agreed. They assume because you stand with a group on one issue you stand with them on all.
Also, they believe if you oppose a certain issue you must be the opposite.

[Army of GOD]

BigBallinStalin is a dirty, ass-pirating communist.


And I wouldn't have him any other way <3

[Army of GOD]

Also, I wouldn't say this only works for politics. This is definitely true for religious beliefs as well.

[Dukasaur]

Also, I wouldn't say this only works for politics. This is definitely true for religious beliefs as well.

It's true for any situation where people can divide on an Us vs. Them plane.

Pirates fans vs. Phillies fans. Nike lovers vs. Reebok lovers. Metalheads vs. folkies.

The desire to retreat into the safe womb of the Us group and throw rocks at the evil Them group is ubiquitous.

[Army of GOD]

But the Pirates suck.

[BigBallinStalin]

Also, I wouldn't say this only works for politics. This is definitely true for religious beliefs as well.

Agreed. Just say you're an atheist to a devout Christian, and then the fun begins.

[Army of GOD]

Also, I wouldn't say this only works for politics. This is definitely true for religious beliefs as well.

Agreed. Just say you're an atheist to a devout Christian, and then the fun begins.

Or just say you're an agnostic, and someone's guaranteed to post this xckd comic:

[BigBallinStalin]

Does remaining on the fence (i.e. being agnostic) really advance the development of ideas?

[Army of GOD]

Does remaining on the fence (i.e. being agnostic) really advance the development of ideas?

Just because you're not decided on a topic doesn't mean you can't make scientific or social advances toward an answer. Honestly, it means you're less biased when researching.

[BigBallinStalin]

Does remaining on the fence (i.e. being agnostic) really advance the development of ideas?

Just because you're not decided on a topic doesn't mean you can't make scientific or social advances toward an answer. Honestly, it means you're less biased when researching.

But haven't agnostics already reach the conclusion that the truth of A is unknowable; therefore, any endeavor in striving toward that truth is futile?


I agree in general that one can be agnostic with certain claims while remaining.. "non-agnostic" for other claims, thus enabling them to pursue some question, or develop some idea.

[Army of GOD]

Does remaining on the fence (i.e. being agnostic) really advance the development of ideas?

Just because you're not decided on a topic doesn't mean you can't make scientific or social advances toward an answer. Honestly, it means you're less biased when researching.

But haven't agnostics already reach the conclusion that the truth of A is unknowable; therefore, any endeavor in striving toward that truth is futile?


I agree in general that one can be agnostic with certain claims while remaining.. "non-agnostic" for other claims, thus enabling them to pursue some question, or develop some idea.

Strong agnostics believe it's impossible to know if there's a god. Personally, I don't know if it's possible to know if there's a god or not.

[BigBallinStalin]

Strong agnostics believe it's impossible to know if there's a god. Personally, I don't know if it's possible to know if there's a god or not.

Does not knowing this possibility prevent you from taking a path toward seeking these types of answers?

Or do you not value that endeavor enough because the benefits don't exceed the costs (e.g. the high risk and uncertainty of obtaining a profit from this endeavor makes it cost-prohibitive)?

[kentington]

Also, I wouldn't say this only works for politics. This is definitely true for religious beliefs as well.

Agreed. Just say you're an atheist to a devout Christian, and then the fun begins.

Define "devout"

I am a Christian and I don't have a problem with atheists. It's each persons responsibility to think and make decisions for themselves. If I am wrong I face the consequences, if they are wrong, then they face theirs. That's life.