3 ms·
A bias is defined as a conclusion that is held unfairly. The only way to determine if a conclusion is held unfairly is to evaluate it and evaluating a conclusi
by TomOfTTB 15y ago
A bias is defined as a conclusion that is held unfairly. The only way to determine if a conclusion is held unfairly is to evaluate it and evaluating a conclusion requires drawing that conclusion in the first place.
The relevance is the author is saying "Don't draw race based conclusions because they are unfair by definition". But if you prevent yourself from drawing the conclusion you can't evaluate it.
Put in more human terms: People who are afraid of being called racist can't be intellectually honest.
Also, just to make the point, racism tends to flourish when people who aren't racist avoid such questions. Right now the most potent rallying point for racists is "The government doesn't want you to know white people are superior". This claim seems to hold weight to people because most scientists are afraid to do race based studies. So by not disproving the racists assumption we actually strengthen it.
- hackinthebochs 15y agoThere's a distinction between drawing a conclusion (and thus acting on it) and noticing a possible trend that can be investigated further. One is asking a question, one is answering it. If you draw the conclusion you've already assumed an answer. This is where the danger is. People who form biases are assuming the answer without the supporting evidence. To address your second point: As a natural scientist (as in endlessly curious) I often wonder about genetic differences in racist and how they effect outward traits. From a public policy perspective, I totally understand why most scientists and government officials wouldn't touch those questions with a 10 foot pole. There is just far more potential for negative consequences than positives.