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For the first day of class, I asked my students to read both essays along with the original Cotton op-ed, and write on the following question: Do you think the
by causi 4y ago
For the first day of class, I asked my students to read both essays along with the original Cotton op-ed, and write on the following question: Do you think the New York Times should have published Cotton’s essay? Why or why not?
We are woefully lacking in the ability to respond to anything with something other than cheering or frothing hatred. I don't know if the problem is actually getting worse or if it's just more visible these days, but I feel like I used to be able to see someone be called a fool without also calling for his crucifixion. Instead of criticizing and mocking we attack and attempt to destroy. If we fail we make an enemy into a worse enemy and when we succeed we make an enemy into a martyr. Fear is the wrong tool to use in the shifting of public opinion.
- jmugan 4y agoMy concern is it seems we are no longer able to see big decisions in terms of tradeoffs. We say X is good but don't acknowledge the downsides. The other side says Y is good without doing the same.
- Sin2x 4y agoTo put it differently, we feel rather than think.
- rgrieselhuber 4y agoBecause the dialectic is a remarkably powerful tool of social division and coercion.
- Sin2x 4y agoDialectics teaches about unity of opposites so I don't see how it fits here.
- rgrieselhuber 4y agoSynthesis does not equal unity.
- Sin2x 4y agoWell, Wikipedia article on the concept is titled "Unity of opposites". Anyway, I just don't understand how dialectics has anything to do with what is being discussed. Division is opposite of both unity and synthesis.
- Sin2x 4y agoGroupthink has (or should I say had) an evolutionary advantage. And the modern world seems to be bent on exploiting those atavisms rather than helping abolish them. Knowledge is power, that's why I believe that applied psychology should be a mandatory subject in schools.