Philosophy, Politics, and “West Side Story”

Yesterday, Facebook’s algorithm blocked tons of posts due to “not meeting community standards.” This was a great opportunity to observe who asks the philosophical question (“What is true?”) and who immediately put on their political filter (“who is trying to win?”).

I won’t point fingers. Go and look for yourselves. People skewing to the Left thought it a Right wing conspiracy. People skewing to the Right immediately blamed a Left wing conspiracy.

Check it out, and factor that “lean” into your evaluation of their future posts.

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No, I don’t consider myself a Moderate. I definitely lean Left, and know precisely why, and what it would have to change for me to feel more comfortable in the Middle, or leaning more Right. However, I don’t have a problem, when with friends, discussing the specific weaknesses I see on either side. Nor do I think it wise to demonize one’s political adversaries. This might be, for instance, similar to the difference between “racism” and “tribalism.”

I had a conversation with someone about Jordan Peterson, who defines racism as attributing a negative characteristic to an entire group. I find this sophistry, and somewhat dishonest. Frankly, I think almost no one REALLY attributes a single characteristic to an entire group. The more honest and useful definition would be to consider the AVERAGE of another group lower than the AVERAGE of your group. THAT is useful, and you’ll see far more examples of it. Hell…