I don’t know Scott Atlas from Adam’’s off ox. But I am struck by how perfectly this discussion fits into one of Jonathan Haidt’s “three great untruths”, this one being “Us vs Them (Life is a battle between good people and evil people”. ) It is not enough to disagree, we must prove our moral righteousness by always questioning the “other sides” motives and “morality.” Adams therefore is not just “wrong”. He’s a “tool”. Part of a plot to lead us to dictatorship.
The divisiveness in this country has been with us and growing for quite some time. It did not begin with either Trump or Obama. Far from it. Politicians exploit this diviseness on both “sides”. (I am sure, btw, that many reading this are confident that it is the “other side” that is the cause.) If you question that talk to your friends on the “other side of the political spectrum from you- assuming you have anyone- and ask. Most, if they are honest with you (and comfortable enough with you to say it - will blame the other side. It’s human nature.)
If you are interested at all in exploring this, Haidt is a great read. Start with “The Righteous Mind: Why good people can’t talk about politics and religious”. (Written, I believe in 2013) Haidt is a moral psychologist. He was a prof at Univ of Chicago. I think now NYU. But I’m unsure on that.
The book is apolitical from a “blame” perspective. It discusses why we are so much more divided (and segregated) ideologically than we were 20 years or so prior. It also notes the differences in how progressives and conservatives think.
It is a great read, imo. ( And if you like it his book with a Greg Luckinbill written in 2018 “The Coddling of the American mind is a great read. Haidt and Luckinbill centervthe book on what they consider the “three great untruths”: 1. The Untuth of Frgaility (What doesn’t kill you makes you weaker) 2. The untruth of emotional reasoning (Always trust your feelings) and 3. The Untruth of Us vs Them (Life is a battle between good people and evil people).
Unless and until we can discuss issues openly, honestly, rationally and without moral indignation towards those with whom we disagree, we will, imo, continue to spiral down this path.
I had not read Goose’s post. So I’m sorry for the redundancy. Although I did bring in the Haidt aspect. And, no Im not his publicist!
The divisiveness in this country has been with us and growing for quite some time. It did not begin with either Trump or Obama. Far from it. Politicians exploit this diviseness on both “sides”. (I am sure, btw, that many reading this are confident that it is the “other side” that is the cause.) If you question that talk to your friends on the “other side of the political spectrum from you- assuming you have anyone- and ask. Most, if they are honest with you (and comfortable enough with you to say it - will blame the other side. It’s human nature.)
If you are interested at all in exploring this, Haidt is a great read. Start with “The Righteous Mind: Why good people can’t talk about politics and religious”. (Written, I believe in 2013) Haidt is a moral psychologist. He was a prof at Univ of Chicago. I think now NYU. But I’m unsure on that.
The book is apolitical from a “blame” perspective. It discusses why we are so much more divided (and segregated) ideologically than we were 20 years or so prior. It also notes the differences in how progressives and conservatives think.
It is a great read, imo. ( And if you like it his book with a Greg Luckinbill written in 2018 “The Coddling of the American mind is a great read. Haidt and Luckinbill centervthe book on what they consider the “three great untruths”: 1. The Untuth of Frgaility (What doesn’t kill you makes you weaker) 2. The untruth of emotional reasoning (Always trust your feelings) and 3. The Untruth of Us vs Them (Life is a battle between good people and evil people).
Unless and until we can discuss issues openly, honestly, rationally and without moral indignation towards those with whom we disagree, we will, imo, continue to spiral down this path.
I had not read Goose’s post. So I’m sorry for the redundancy. Although I did bring in the Haidt aspect. And, no Im not his publicist!