3 ms·

There are differences between men and women, or boys and girls, on average, but what's the point of studying them? I am all for science and the search for trut

There are differences between men and women, or boys and girls, on average, but what's the point of studying them? I am all for science and the search for truth, but when we study ourselves, there are potential political implications. And I am not talking only about sexual differences. There is no need to classify human beings, because in the best case it will only be accurate -on average- and mostly because the way society structures itself is already integrating all the individual differences, we do not need to reinforce that.

r00fus 7y ago
Well, it's pretty useful in psychology especially as it relates to behavioral dynamics and how the genders interact. From a dark-side point of view, it might be useful/profitable in advertising and propaganda.
arminiusreturns 7y ago
To me this is a backwards approach to science if I am understanding you correctly in saying that we shouldn't do studies if they have political implications or might potentially reinforce differences? We should seek to know the truth, regardless of the politics of that truth, imho.
malvosenior 7y ago
We should study everything. That studying gender has political implications means it’s more important to learn the truth, not less.
ThrowawayR2 7y ago
> "I am all for science and the search for truth, but when we study ourselves, there are potential political implications." "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." --Philip K. Dick We can choose to stick our heads in the sand but whatever underlying reality is out there remains there, continuing to operate. It's better to face the truth, however painful it is, than to try to hide from it.
seventhtiger 7y ago
This is similar to the argument used against science by religion in the past. I think the pursuit of science comes with the embedded belief that we can handle the truth. Studying the demographics of different people can allow us to accommodate them better. Maybe instead of entrenching oppression it could lead to knowledge that overcomes it.
ThePawnBreak 7y ago
This is the sort of thinking that the Church used to put Galileo in prison.

r00fus 7y ago

Well, it's pretty useful in psychology especially as it relates to behavioral dynamics and how the genders interact. From a dark-side point of view, it might be useful/profitable in advertising and propaganda.

arminiusreturns 7y ago

To me this is a backwards approach to science if I am understanding you correctly in saying that we shouldn't do studies if they have political implications or might potentially reinforce differences? We should seek to know the truth, regardless of the politics of that truth, imho.

malvosenior 7y ago

We should study everything. That studying gender has political implications means it’s more important to learn the truth, not less.

ThrowawayR2 7y ago

> "I am all for science and the search for truth, but when we study ourselves, there are potential political implications." "Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." --Philip K. Dick We can choose to stick our heads in the sand but whatever underlying reality is out there remains there, continuing to operate. It's better to face the truth, however painful it is, than to try to hide from it.

seventhtiger 7y ago

This is similar to the argument used against science by religion in the past. I think the pursuit of science comes with the embedded belief that we can handle the truth. Studying the demographics of different people can allow us to accommodate them better. Maybe instead of entrenching oppression it could lead to knowledge that overcomes it.

ThePawnBreak 7y ago

This is the sort of thinking that the Church used to put Galileo in prison.