I saw a short segment on CNN today that some (fairly shallow) research had been done on how heredity affects political leanings, and how the decision-making processes of liberals and conservatives DIFFER (according to differences in brain activity per PET scan).It occurs to me that (being a liberal, a lefty a person who employs logic for a living and having a 155 IQ) there is a REASON why certain people seem impenetrable to logic, preferring to cleave to prejudice, alarm and suspicion, and others are open to new ideas. The different ends of the political spectrum approach decision-making and problem-solving in entirely different ways.
One of the most corrosive and degrading concepts rigid thinkers have introduced into the modern social lexicon is that of the "cult." No one can define the word reliably, but most people who are against them know one when they see it. Generally, it's "strong devotion to something/someone you'd have to be an idiot to believe." Or, "believing in stuff I don't believe in."
There are now murmurings on the web and in the media of an Obama "cult." We supporters are, by the mere application of the label, reduced to mindless sycophants who are devoid of analytical powers and unable to think for ourselves.
I don't know the full implications of the research mentioned on CNN, but I think I have seen manifestations of it in life. Persons who are of a conservative "mindset," regardless of their politics (yes, there are orthodox liberals just like there are orthodox conservatives) have to have procedures, rules, standards and uniformity from which to launch their decision-making process. All aspects of a problem are measured (consciously or unconsciously) against predetermined criteria in order to arrive at an ACCEPTABLE solution. The most important barometer in the end is whether the solution fits in the right box. For liberal thinkers, it is more common to absorb the disparate facts, tendencies and history of a problem, measure these against other objectively observed facts and historical reference to what has WORKED in the past, to puzzle out a solution that WORKS. Hence, unheard of and previously unaccepted solutions can be considered, and conformity with rules is less a factor. Further, the consequences of a proposed solution are more likely to be measured against the impact they may have globally, including upon other living beings/things, than against arbitrary rules of "morality."So - if you have enthusiasm and loyalty for established forms, this is piety or patriotism. If you have enthusiasm and loyalty for the new or unconventional, it's a "cult."
As a (pretty smart) guy who makes his living off his intellect and his observational skills, as a professional researcher, as a political and community activist for the last 25 years, and as someone who studies politics, sociology, philosophy and world affairs, I suppose I should be insulted. That had, however, not occured to me. I feel a slightly sorry, instead, for those who are cut off from the fruits of observation, and who bereft of hope. I try to help those whom I can reach, but it's a bit like trying to rescue a frightened cat stuck in a pipe. When you reach in, you get your hand shredded and the cat doesn't move. He's protecting himself from your "attacks" on his "safety." Sad.
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