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> made me realize that I wasn't as open-minded as I thought I was. I really don't understand this use of the phrase "open-minded". Open-mindedness, to me, mean

> made me realize that I wasn't as open-minded as I thought I was. I really don't understand this use of the phrase "open-minded". Open-mindedness, to me, means being willing to question deeply-held opinions and beliefs. And being okay with other humans freely making very different decisions with regards to religion, sexuality, occupation, etc. None of that has the slightest thing to do with trying to quell instinctive reactions of disgust to pedophilia and booger-eating.

pessimizer 7y ago
People often have a stronger reaction to your religion than your booger-eating; I don't actually understand the distinction you're making here. It reads like being "open-minded" for you is to be tolerant of the things that you're currently tolerant of, but has nothing to do with the things that you are not currently tolerant of, reactions to which you deem "instinctive." I don't believe that disgust with either of those things are instincts, they seem like examples of things that are learned and vary by culture. Instincts are more like being startled by loud noises, or things unexpectedly touching your head.
- mr_overalls 7y ago
  There's actually a good amount of evidence that the emotion of disgust - and even the associated facial expressions - are universal among human cultures. See research by Plutchik, Rozin, and Ekman. It's elicited typically by potential biological contaminants, like bodily fluids, spoiled foods, vermin, bodily violations (blood, gore, etc.), and infection.
kabdib 7y ago
Perhaps "open minded" is not the right phrase. "Acceptance of appalling and disgusting behavior" is closer. It's definitely a value judgement on my part, I'm more conservative than I thought. Eat all the boogers and ---- all the ----- that you want, I won't bother you and I'll even help protect your right to do it. I just don't want to know details.

pessimizer 7y ago

People often have a stronger reaction to your religion than your booger-eating; I don't actually understand the distinction you're making here. It reads like being "open-minded" for you is to be tolerant of the things that you're currently tolerant of, but has nothing to do with the things that you are not currently tolerant of, reactions to which you deem "instinctive." I don't believe that disgust with either of those things are instincts, they seem like examples of things that are learned and vary by culture. Instincts are more like being startled by loud noises, or things unexpectedly touching your head.

mr_overalls 7y ago
There's actually a good amount of evidence that the emotion of disgust - and even the associated facial expressions - are universal among human cultures. See research by Plutchik, Rozin, and Ekman. It's elicited typically by potential biological contaminants, like bodily fluids, spoiled foods, vermin, bodily violations (blood, gore, etc.), and infection.

kabdib 7y ago

Perhaps "open minded" is not the right phrase. "Acceptance of appalling and disgusting behavior" is closer. It's definitely a value judgement on my part, I'm more conservative than I thought. Eat all the boogers and ---- all the ----- that you want, I won't bother you and I'll even help protect your right to do it. I just don't want to know details.