If I failed to notice that there are scientifically proven genetic differences I would be missing a far more important part of reality (evolutionary psychology and the huge effects of evolution in the last 20,000 years) than if I failed to notice that being a bigot was bad and impeded moral progress.
I actually disagree with this statement outright. First of all, ignoring the existence of a specific piece of evidence is not the same as being wholly ignorant of the workings of evolution. Second, I think that the use or abuse of data (false or true) leading to the mistreatment of humans is a worse outcome than the ignorance of said data. Science isn’t a goal in and of itself—it’s a tool, a process invented for the betterment of humanity. It accomplishes that admirably, better than any other tool we’ve applied to the same problems. If the use of the tool, or in this case one particular end of the tool, causes harm, perhaps it’s better to use another end (a different area of science than genetics), or the same one in a different environment (in a time and place where racial inequality and bias are not so heated and widespread—our future, if we’re lucky). Otherwise, we’re making the purpose of the tool subservient to the use of the tool for its own sake—pounding nails into the coffee table.
Besides—anecdotally, people who think that the genetic differences between races are important incite less violence than people who think that not being a bigot is important. If, as you posited, one had to choose. ;)
I have a couple other objections (really? sex discrimination is over? where was I?) but other people have covered them satisfactorily.
x-risk charities
New here; can I get a brief definition of this term? I’ve gotten the gist of what it means by following a couple of links, I just want to know where the x bit comes from. Didn’t find it on the site’s wiki or the internet at large.
Besides—anecdotally, people who think that the genetic differences between races are important incite less violence than people who think that not being a bigot is important.
I’m not sure what “what” would refer to here. I didn’t have an incident in mind, I’m just giving my impression of public perception (the first person gets called racist, and the second one gets called, well, normal, one hopes). It wasn’t meant to be taken very seriously.
I actually disagree with this statement outright. First of all, ignoring the existence of a specific piece of evidence is not the same as being wholly ignorant of the workings of evolution. Second, I think that the use or abuse of data (false or true) leading to the mistreatment of humans is a worse outcome than the ignorance of said data. Science isn’t a goal in and of itself—it’s a tool, a process invented for the betterment of humanity. It accomplishes that admirably, better than any other tool we’ve applied to the same problems. If the use of the tool, or in this case one particular end of the tool, causes harm, perhaps it’s better to use another end (a different area of science than genetics), or the same one in a different environment (in a time and place where racial inequality and bias are not so heated and widespread—our future, if we’re lucky). Otherwise, we’re making the purpose of the tool subservient to the use of the tool for its own sake—pounding nails into the coffee table.
Besides—anecdotally, people who think that the genetic differences between races are important incite less violence than people who think that not being a bigot is important. If, as you posited, one had to choose. ;)
I have a couple other objections (really? sex discrimination is over? where was I?) but other people have covered them satisfactorily.
New here; can I get a brief definition of this term? I’ve gotten the gist of what it means by following a couple of links, I just want to know where the x bit comes from. Didn’t find it on the site’s wiki or the internet at large.
X-risk stands for existential risk.
It about possible events that risk ending the existence of the human race.
Got it; thank you.
What do you have in mind?
I’m not sure what “what” would refer to here. I didn’t have an incident in mind, I’m just giving my impression of public perception (the first person gets called racist, and the second one gets called, well, normal, one hopes). It wasn’t meant to be taken very seriously.