Introduction Centrists are hated by the left and disdained the right. They are called smug, cowardly, deceitful, indecisive, opportunistic, and unable to hold, let alone defend a strong political opinion. But there are various kinds of centrists. This blog post discusses four interesting types: the moderate centrist, the phony centrist, the straw-manning centrist, and the selective centrist. 1. The moderate centrist The moderate always takes a position in the middle between the left and … [Read more...]
Political Virtue Signaling
What is virtue signaling? Humans are a social species: we form groups to cooperate. In order to cooperate, we establish values. By following values, we increase our social status within a group. With higher social status, we have access to more resources (e.g., money, influence, female attraction). Virtue signaling is a display of value-following in order to gain social status and resources. On social media, people signal their virtues to win followers and approval. Through … [Read more...]
On Goodness, Happiness, and Meaning in Life
Definitions This blog post rests on utilitarianism: Good = what increases happiness Happiness = pleasure + meaning Assertion Meaning comes from everything that gives people a sense of fulfillment and belonging. For example: Having a deep purpose (doing one's True Will) gives people meaning in life. Being on a path (the dedicated devotion to a mission) gives people meaning in life. Being part of a group (the merging of one's will into a greater will) gives people meaning … [Read more...]
How to Maximize Happiness in Society
Happiness is pleasure plus meaning. Therefore, a society that wants to maximize happiness must optimize for pleasure in conjunction with meaning. Political liberals typically optimize for pleasure. They try to reduce harm and suffering while promoting liberty and the pleasures that come from acting autonomously. But pure hedonism produces soul-dead consumers, and freedom can be empty. Without a strong, fulfilling purpose, maximizing pleasure does not maximize happiness, but diversion at best … [Read more...]
The Positive Effects of Tribalism (Jonathan Haidt)
In Defense of Tribalism We hear it everywhere these days: "In-group solidarity is bad, all-embracing love is good." "Patriotism is dangerous, global oneness is the real deal." "Nationalism is evil, the unity of humanity is sacred." "Ethnopluralism is racist, multiculturalism is ethical." "Tribalism is the problem, universalism is the solution." But should we really oppose all in-group solidarity, patriotism, nationalism, ethnopluralism, and tribalism? Do we humans not … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- …
- 8
- Next Page »