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>That you felt the need to publicly separate yourself from the "sociopaths" so we'd all certainly know what a virtuous person you are is the crux of it I apolo

>That you felt the need to publicly separate yourself from the "sociopaths" so we'd all certainly know what a virtuous person you are is the crux of it I apologize; while reading the thread on my phone, I thought you were responding to me, but you're not. I'll still respond, though. > I believe you are sincere. Sincerity has nothing to do with virtue signaling. Virtue signaling is about intent. Honestly stating a genuinely held belief because you believe it and want to communicate it is not virtue signaling. In your response, you're making an assumption about the person who wrote the comment. You're assuming that they wrote the comment "so we'd all certainly know what a virtuous person you are." But that's your assumption. You don't know that. So why are you making that assumption? People often extrapolate their own motivations when judging the behavior of others. That's why I'm suspicious of people who accuse others of virtue-signalling. It conveys something about their inner state and their own motivations.

RhysU 1y ago
This is a great response, thank you. I disagree that intent has anything to do with virtue signaling. People frequently are driven by their subconscious, especially in matters of tribal belonging. There is a delicious irony in questioning the motivations of someone who is questioning your motivations.
- InsideOutSanta 1y ago
  >I disagree that intent has anything to do with virtue signaling This is the very first sentence on Wikipedia: "Virtue signalling is the act of expressing opinions or stances that align with popular moral values, often through social media, with the intent of demonstrating one's good character." Unless we share a common understanding of the term, we can't have a meaningful discussion about it. >There is a delicious irony in questioning the motivations of someone who is questioning your motivations. I'm not sure why it is ironic. Instead, it seems evident that by bringing up other people's motivations, we are revealing something about what we think motivates people to act, and thus about our own motivation to act. Accusing somebody of virtue signaling provides evidence for the accuser's way of thinking, but not for the accused's.

RhysU 1y ago

This is a great response, thank you. I disagree that intent has anything to do with virtue signaling. People frequently are driven by their subconscious, especially in matters of tribal belonging. There is a delicious irony in questioning the motivations of someone who is questioning your motivations.

InsideOutSanta 1y ago
>I disagree that intent has anything to do with virtue signaling This is the very first sentence on Wikipedia: "Virtue signalling is the act of expressing opinions or stances that align with popular moral values, often through social media, with the intent of demonstrating one's good character." Unless we share a common understanding of the term, we can't have a meaningful discussion about it. >There is a delicious irony in questioning the motivations of someone who is questioning your motivations. I'm not sure why it is ironic. Instead, it seems evident that by bringing up other people's motivations, we are revealing something about what we think motivates people to act, and thus about our own motivation to act. Accusing somebody of virtue signaling provides evidence for the accuser's way of thinking, but not for the accused's.