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One issue is that acknowledging potential differences between the sexes can setup prejudice that acts to fulfill those prejudices. This can lead to widening ge

One issue is that acknowledging potential differences between the sexes can setup prejudice that acts to fulfill those prejudices. This can lead to widening gender gaps possibly more that any real gap in performance. So many do not blindly advocate equality because they believe it completely but do so to avoid the overly negative and reinforcing effects of prejudice. Think of this as a form of "Noble lie"

throwanem 9y ago
You mean it's a falsehood cynically advanced by a power elite to maintain a social order which would otherwise be uprooted, and those responsible torn toe from nail, by the vast majority upon whom it inflicts grave injustice toward some greater goal whose tangible benefits somehow never make it as far as them?
- bhouston 9y ago
  You'll have to explain the missing logical steps as I do not see how you got to this conclusion.
  - throwanem 9y ago
    There are no logical steps to miss. None are required. The concept of the "noble lie" originates in Plato's inexplicably popular power fantasy The Republic. Its purpose there is as I describe it here; I differ only in choosing terms rather less congratulatory than the old fraud used himself.
    - bhouston 9y ago
      The world I live in is filled with various Noble lies and self deceptions and mass deceptions. It does seem necessary to me for the modern world that isn't constantly at war with itself to exist. There is so many that I do not know where to begin and I am not going to begin. This one seems on balance like one of the less harmful ones.
      - throwanem 9y ago
        Are you sure the modern world isn't constantly at war with itself? I am not. Nor am I sure that a culture of constant deception - inward and outward, individual and en masse - is less, rather than more, likely than the converse to produce such a regrettable state of affairs. Certainly I envy you this confidence! I have not seen it borne out in practice. But I doubt we inhabit very similar-seeming worlds.
        bhouston 9y ago
        > Are you sure the modern world isn't constantly at war with itself? I am not In the Western world in North America and Europe we are doing pretty well. The many big issues are here such as climate change and low reproduction and lack of economic growth and the widening gap between rich and poor is problematic but it isn't leading to any major violence locally. There are problems but society is generally safe.
        throwanem 9y ago
        At the moment, with relatively rare and relatively small-scale exception, yes. Does that mean a world filled with lies need not end in fire, and those excrescences of violence we do observe are aberrational? Or does it mean only that the war has yet to go from cold to hot?
        bhouston 9y ago
        > Does that mean a world filled with lies need not end in fire, and those excrescences of violence we do observe are aberrational? Living in a world of lies does not by itself beget violence or unhappiness. Nobles lies in and of themselves do not beget violence. I read once the book "world on fire", which seems somewhat relevant. I'd recommend it. Her other book called "triple package" is also very relevant. > Or does it mean only that the war has yet to go from cold to hot? I am not sure it is building up right now in any big way. I am unfamiliar with the war you keep mentioning. Netflix and other mass distractions help us live peacefully as it allows us to accept our lot or be mostly in denial of it.

throwanem 9y ago

You mean it's a falsehood cynically advanced by a power elite to maintain a social order which would otherwise be uprooted, and those responsible torn toe from nail, by the vast majority upon whom it inflicts grave injustice toward some greater goal whose tangible benefits somehow never make it as far as them?

bhouston 9y ago
You'll have to explain the missing logical steps as I do not see how you got to this conclusion.
- throwanem 9y ago
  There are no logical steps to miss. None are required. The concept of the "noble lie" originates in Plato's inexplicably popular power fantasy The Republic. Its purpose there is as I describe it here; I differ only in choosing terms rather less congratulatory than the old fraud used himself.
  - bhouston 9y ago
    The world I live in is filled with various Noble lies and self deceptions and mass deceptions. It does seem necessary to me for the modern world that isn't constantly at war with itself to exist. There is so many that I do not know where to begin and I am not going to begin. This one seems on balance like one of the less harmful ones.
    - throwanem 9y ago
      Are you sure the modern world isn't constantly at war with itself? I am not. Nor am I sure that a culture of constant deception - inward and outward, individual and en masse - is less, rather than more, likely than the converse to produce such a regrettable state of affairs. Certainly I envy you this confidence! I have not seen it borne out in practice. But I doubt we inhabit very similar-seeming worlds.
      - bhouston 9y ago
        > Are you sure the modern world isn't constantly at war with itself? I am not In the Western world in North America and Europe we are doing pretty well. The many big issues are here such as climate change and low reproduction and lack of economic growth and the widening gap between rich and poor is problematic but it isn't leading to any major violence locally. There are problems but society is generally safe.
        throwanem 9y ago
        At the moment, with relatively rare and relatively small-scale exception, yes. Does that mean a world filled with lies need not end in fire, and those excrescences of violence we do observe are aberrational? Or does it mean only that the war has yet to go from cold to hot?
        bhouston 9y ago
        > Does that mean a world filled with lies need not end in fire, and those excrescences of violence we do observe are aberrational? Living in a world of lies does not by itself beget violence or unhappiness. Nobles lies in and of themselves do not beget violence. I read once the book "world on fire", which seems somewhat relevant. I'd recommend it. Her other book called "triple package" is also very relevant. > Or does it mean only that the war has yet to go from cold to hot? I am not sure it is building up right now in any big way. I am unfamiliar with the war you keep mentioning. Netflix and other mass distractions help us live peacefully as it allows us to accept our lot or be mostly in denial of it.