You signed the position purely out of instrumental concerns and any principles about petitions and how news organizations should or should not respond to them is entirely independent? Admitting that – even judged just instrumentally – seems counter-productive.
The relevant principle seems pretty clear (to me): of course people should be generally open to being swayed by (reasoned) argumentation, e.g. via petition – unless there’s some concern(s) that override it, like a principled pre-commitment to ignore some types of influence (for very good reasons).
You signed the position purely out of instrumental concerns and any principles about petitions and how news organizations should or should not respond to them is entirely independent? Admitting that – even judged just instrumentally – seems counter-productive.
Yes. My mind didn’t go there when I decided to sign, and, on reflection, I don’t think it should have gone there. I’m not sure if “instrumental” is the right word, but I think we mean the same thing.
I don’t think it is counter-productive. I think it’s important to realize that there is nothing wrong with supporting X even if the generalized version of supporting X is something you oppose. Do you disagree with that?
I agree that there might not be anything wrong with supporting a specific X without also supporting (or with opposing) all X in general. But that all depends on the reasons why you support the specific X but don’t support (or oppose) the general X. Why did you sign the petition but the general policy? (Also, what do you think the general policy is exactly?)
I don’t personally have strong feelings or convictions pertaining to all of this. I don’t want the NYT to publish Scott’s full legal name, but I don’t have any particular strong objections about them or anyone else doing that in general. I do oppose the specific politics that I think is motivating them publishing his name. I also don’t think there are any good reasons to publish his name that aren’t motivated to hurt or harm him.
I agree that there might not be anything wrong with supporting a specific X without also supporting (or with opposing) all X in general. But that all depends on the reasons why you support the specific X but don’t support (or oppose) the general X.
Well, in that case, I don’t think there’s much left to hash out here. My main point would have been that I think it’s a bad idea to tie your decision to a generalizable principle.
You signed the position purely out of instrumental concerns and any principles about petitions and how news organizations should or should not respond to them is entirely independent? Admitting that – even judged just instrumentally – seems counter-productive.
The relevant principle seems pretty clear (to me): of course people should be generally open to being swayed by (reasoned) argumentation, e.g. via petition – unless there’s some concern(s) that override it, like a principled pre-commitment to ignore some types of influence (for very good reasons).
Yes. My mind didn’t go there when I decided to sign, and, on reflection, I don’t think it should have gone there. I’m not sure if “instrumental” is the right word, but I think we mean the same thing.
I don’t think it is counter-productive. I think it’s important to realize that there is nothing wrong with supporting X even if the generalized version of supporting X is something you oppose. Do you disagree with that?
I agree that there might not be anything wrong with supporting a specific X without also supporting (or with opposing) all X in general. But that all depends on the reasons why you support the specific X but don’t support (or oppose) the general X. Why did you sign the petition but the general policy? (Also, what do you think the general policy is exactly?)
I don’t personally have strong feelings or convictions pertaining to all of this. I don’t want the NYT to publish Scott’s full legal name, but I don’t have any particular strong objections about them or anyone else doing that in general. I do oppose the specific politics that I think is motivating them publishing his name. I also don’t think there are any good reasons to publish his name that aren’t motivated to hurt or harm him.
Well, in that case, I don’t think there’s much left to hash out here. My main point would have been that I think it’s a bad idea to tie your decision to a generalizable principle.