If OP was taking a scientology class, you could say the exact same thing: the bullshit didn’t hinder the teacher’s ability to “succeed” (become a teacher of bullshit), therefore OP should learn empathy, etc. Presumably you wouldn’t make that argument, so it’s better to argue based on the qualities of the actual teaching.
I would make the same argument for a Scientology class[1]. You can and should learn empathy and humility, and one of the best ways is interaction with people with very different beliefs and models than you. You don’t have to agree with them, you don’t have to use their mechanisms directly, but you can and should identify how those mechanisms work for them, and understand that you’ll probably need some mechanisms for yourself that aren’t perfectly self-legible.
[1] Except the actual torture and brainwashing parts. If sleep deprivation or overt threats of violence are part of the class, you should probably just get out.
As Dagon said, learning empathy and humility is always a good idea. You don’t have to believe your teacher or condone their views or practices, but that’s a different issue.
If OP was taking a scientology class, you could say the exact same thing: the bullshit didn’t hinder the teacher’s ability to “succeed” (become a teacher of bullshit), therefore OP should learn empathy, etc. Presumably you wouldn’t make that argument, so it’s better to argue based on the qualities of the actual teaching.
I would make the same argument for a Scientology class[1]. You can and should learn empathy and humility, and one of the best ways is interaction with people with very different beliefs and models than you. You don’t have to agree with them, you don’t have to use their mechanisms directly, but you can and should identify how those mechanisms work for them, and understand that you’ll probably need some mechanisms for yourself that aren’t perfectly self-legible.
[1] Except the actual torture and brainwashing parts. If sleep deprivation or overt threats of violence are part of the class, you should probably just get out.
As Dagon said, learning empathy and humility is always a good idea. You don’t have to believe your teacher or condone their views or practices, but that’s a different issue.