Category: Philosophy

Let’s consider a series of statements, without considering whether any of them are right or wrong:

1. People should be treated with respect, regardless of their ethnicity.
2. All ethnic groups have the same average IQ after controlling for cultural biases in IQ tests.
3. Women should be treated with respect and accepted in traditionally male-dominated workplaces.
4. There are no biological differences between men and women that affect their interests or abilities.
5. Homosexuals and homosexual relationships should be given the same respect and acceptance as heterosexuals and heterosexual relationships.
6. Children brought up by same-sex parents do as well or better than children brought up by opposite-sex parents.
7. People of all religions should be treated with respect.
8. Muslims are no more likely to commit violence than are people of other religions.
9. Wealthy people and societies should help the poor.
10. Poverty is entirely caused by unfortunate circumstances and unfair institutions and not the choices of the poor themselves.

At this point, you have probably noticed the pattern. Odd-numbered statements are moral claims. They are all about how one should behave. They reflect liberal values. If you agree with claims 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 then congratulations! You are a decent human being who is capable of living in a liberal society. (more…)

The post Can the Truth be Repugnant? Should it be? appeared first on The Economics Detective.

Let’s consider a series of statements, without considering whether any of them are right or wrong:

1. People should be treated with respect, regardless of their ethnicity.
2. All ethnic groups have the same average IQ after controlling for cultural biases in IQ tests.
3. Women should be treated with respect and accepted in traditionally male-dominated workplaces.
4. There are no biological differences between men and women that affect their interests or abilities.
5. Homosexuals and homosexual relationships should be given the same respect and acceptance as heterosexuals and heterosexual relationships.
6. Children brought up by same-sex parents do as well or better than children brought up by opposite-sex parents.
7. People of all religions should be treated with respect.
8. Muslims are no more likely to commit violence than are people of other religions.
9. Wealthy people and societies should help the poor.
10. Poverty is entirely caused by unfortunate circumstances and unfair institutions and not the choices of the poor themselves.

At this point, you have probably noticed the pattern. Odd-numbered statements are moral claims. They are all about how one should behave. They reflect liberal values. If you agree with claims 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 then congratulations! You are a decent human being who is capable of living in a liberal society. (more…)

The post Can the Truth be Repugnant? Should it be? appeared first on The Economics Detective.

Let’s consider a series of statements, without considering whether any of them are right or wrong:

1. People should be treated with respect, regardless of their ethnicity.
2. All ethnic groups have the same average IQ after controlling for cultural biases in IQ tests.
3. Women should be treated with respect and accepted in traditionally male-dominated workplaces.
4. There are no biological differences between men and women that affect their interests or abilities.
5. Homosexuals and homosexual relationships should be given the same respect and acceptance as heterosexuals and heterosexual relationships.
6. Children brought up by same-sex parents do as well or better than children brought up by opposite-sex parents.
7. People of all religions should be treated with respect.
8. Muslims are no more likely to commit violence than are people of other religions.
9. Wealthy people and societies should help the poor.
10. Poverty is entirely caused by unfortunate circumstances and unfair institutions and not the choices of the poor themselves.

At this point, you have probably noticed the pattern. Odd-numbered statements are moral claims. They are all about how one should behave. They reflect liberal values. If you agree with claims 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 then congratulations! You are a decent human being who is capable of living in a liberal society. (more…)

The post Can the Truth be Repugnant? Should it be? appeared first on The Economics Detective.