This is a worthy steel-manning when trying to reach an accurate conclusion about ev-psych, but I think you give the typical person who claims “ev-psych is sexist” too much credit here.
Natasha Walter makes the argument that Eliezer refers to in Living Dolls (not really about ev-psych, but about the idea of innate differences between genders in abilities), and I’m sure there are other examples (I haven’t actually read all that much feminist writing). However, I have also encountered people who won’t even discuss the issue with anyone who is pro-ev psych because they think that they’re so morally appalling. Not sure how typical the people I’m encountered are though—I suspect they may be more extreme than most, and the most extreme people are the loudest.
There’s definitely a temptation to identify a belief we agree with with its best advocates, and a belief we disagree with with its typical advocates. I definitely see this when people talk about how stupid eg “the left/right” is. I may be encouraging that error...
This is a worthy steel-manning when trying to reach an accurate conclusion about ev-psych, but I think you give the typical person who claims “ev-psych is sexist” too much credit here.
Natasha Walter makes the argument that Eliezer refers to in Living Dolls (not really about ev-psych, but about the idea of innate differences between genders in abilities), and I’m sure there are other examples (I haven’t actually read all that much feminist writing). However, I have also encountered people who won’t even discuss the issue with anyone who is pro-ev psych because they think that they’re so morally appalling. Not sure how typical the people I’m encountered are though—I suspect they may be more extreme than most, and the most extreme people are the loudest.
There’s definitely a temptation to identify a belief we agree with with its best advocates, and a belief we disagree with with its typical advocates. I definitely see this when people talk about how stupid eg “the left/right” is. I may be encouraging that error...