To the extent that there really are no perceivable differences, it looks like essentialist thinking. But I wouldn’t call a desire irrational (or rather, I wouldn’t call it especially irrational), even a desire for a perceived essence.
A similar example would be two identical watches, one of which was given to you by your grandfather. Or the loss of value when you discover that the autographed picture you bought on e-bay is a forgery.
(maybe it’s because I’m primed by a discussion on the stupid questions thread, or because I perceived hints that the third part would be controversial, but the example I had in mind as I read the post was of a heterossexual man rejecting trans women)
To the extent that there really are no perceivable differences, it looks like essentialist thinking. But I wouldn’t call a desire irrational (or rather, I wouldn’t call it especially irrational), even a desire for a perceived essence.
A similar example would be two identical watches, one of which was given to you by your grandfather. Or the loss of value when you discover that the autographed picture you bought on e-bay is a forgery.
(maybe it’s because I’m primed by a discussion on the stupid questions thread, or because I perceived hints that the third part would be controversial, but the example I had in mind as I read the post was of a heterossexual man rejecting trans women)
The grandfather’s watch is a great example. Would you attribute essentialist thinking to someone who prefers that watch?
But there are readily perceivable differences. Just look under the hood.
Yes, I don’t see why not. The only difference is a mental tag on their map.
(not that I would look down on anyone who has these preferences, or feel particularly inclined to work on diminishing my own similar preferences).
Ok, no differences that would make her prefer the actual combustion engine, besides it having the essence of a real combustion engine.