racism is obviously about preferences rather than facts
Is it? If I publicly state that the mean IQ of black people is about a standard deviation below the mean IQ of white people, I will be labeled a racist in an instant. Which preferences did I express?
Is it? If I publicly state that the mean IQ of black people is about a standard deviation below the mean IQ of white people, I will be labeled a racist in an instant. Which preferences did I express?
Of course, preferences can be inferred from what facts you choose to publicly state. For example, if you publish a pamphlet all about crimes committed by blacks, people can infer from that something about your goals (i.e. to encourage distrust of blacks).
Perhaps some people would claim merely believing black IQ is lower is racist. But this clearly is not the sense in which Sophronius was using “racist.” It is Sophronius’ context to which my comment applies.
In case it wasn’t clear to you, Sophronius was referring to the Dutch Freedom Party. Whether they are “racist” or not simply depends on your definition of the word. You could use the term “nationalist,” or whatever. It doesn’t matter. The word “racist” is just being used as a shorthand about their beliefs. It is clear that the salient point of disagreement between liberals like Sophronius and the Dutch Freedom Party is their values.
The word “racist” is just being used as a shorthand about their beliefs.
That wasn’t evident to me at all, I was reading you as making an observation about racism in general. Sophronius clearly wants to discuss issues beyond those specific to Dutch politics.
Whether racism is about preferences or facts? Though there is a variety of definitions, I think it’s mostly about beliefs (which may or may not be based on facts and which may or may not be expressed as preferences).
Is it? If I publicly state that the mean IQ of black people is about a standard deviation below the mean IQ of white people, I will be labeled a racist in an instant. Which preferences did I express?
Of course, preferences can be inferred from what facts you choose to publicly state. For example, if you publish a pamphlet all about crimes committed by blacks, people can infer from that something about your goals (i.e. to encourage distrust of blacks).
Perhaps some people would claim merely believing black IQ is lower is racist. But this clearly is not the sense in which Sophronius was using “racist.” It is Sophronius’ context to which my comment applies.
In case it wasn’t clear to you, Sophronius was referring to the Dutch Freedom Party. Whether they are “racist” or not simply depends on your definition of the word. You could use the term “nationalist,” or whatever. It doesn’t matter. The word “racist” is just being used as a shorthand about their beliefs. It is clear that the salient point of disagreement between liberals like Sophronius and the Dutch Freedom Party is their values.
That wasn’t evident to me at all, I was reading you as making an observation about racism in general. Sophronius clearly wants to discuss issues beyond those specific to Dutch politics.
Sophronius’ desires aside, I am interested in your thoughts about knb’s answer to your actual question.
Whether racism is about preferences or facts? Though there is a variety of definitions, I think it’s mostly about beliefs (which may or may not be based on facts and which may or may not be expressed as preferences).
OK. Thanks for clarifying.
It depends on where you state that, and which words you use.
A preference for saying politically incorrect things?
And is that preference racist?