My rule is to not engage into specific arguments with anyone with clear signs of motivated cognition, since it is almost invariably futile, as their true objections are not in the arguments they put forward. I tend to try to figure out why it is important for someone in this state to believe what they believe. For example, it is pointless to discuss metallurgy with a 911 truther or a certain purported perpetual motion contraption with a free-energy crank.
Here are the signs of your motivated cognition: you use negative connotation-charged descriptions of purported trends and behaviors:
“promiscuity” instead of, say, “reduced incidence and duration of exclusive committed relationships”,
“deviant sexual behaviors” instead of, say, “widening spectrum of sexual norm”,
presuming that “roles” are inherently masculine or feminine,
Clearly you have your reasons for passing judgment, whether consciously or not, and these reasons have to be elucidated before one can have a fruitful discussion on the effects of evolving sexual norms on the American society.
“promiscuity” instead of, say, “reduced incidence and duration of exclusive committed relationships”,
I think “using one word instead of eight” is not very good evidence of motivated cognition. Maybe if Moss had said “sluttishness” instead you would have a point.
My rule is to not engage into specific arguments with anyone with clear signs of motivated cognition, since it is almost invariably futile, as their true objections are not in the arguments they put forward. I tend to try to figure out why it is important for someone in this state to believe what they believe. For example, it is pointless to discuss metallurgy with a 911 truther or a certain purported perpetual motion contraption with a free-energy crank.
Here are the signs of your motivated cognition: you use negative connotation-charged descriptions of purported trends and behaviors:
“promiscuity” instead of, say, “reduced incidence and duration of exclusive committed relationships”,
“deviant sexual behaviors” instead of, say, “widening spectrum of sexual norm”,
presuming that “roles” are inherently masculine or feminine,
“effeminate” instead of, say, “less gender-normative”.
Clearly you have your reasons for passing judgment, whether consciously or not, and these reasons have to be elucidated before one can have a fruitful discussion on the effects of evolving sexual norms on the American society.
I think “using one word instead of eight” is not very good evidence of motivated cognition. Maybe if Moss had said “sluttishness” instead you would have a point.