Difference between revisions of "OCT 17"

From Alfino
Jump to navigationJump to search
m
m
 
Line 1: Line 1:
−
==15: OCT 17: Unit 2: Living in the Matrix / Working with Political Difference 1==
+
==16: OCT 17. ==
  
 
===Assigned===
 
===Assigned===
  
−
:*Haidt, Chapter 8, “The Conservative Advantage”
+
:*Haidt, C8 - "The Conservative Advantage," (155-163; 8) - MFQ research supporting MFT.
 +
:*Hibbing C2 – “Getting into Bedrock with Politics” – (33-56; 23) – political orientation v political issues, Bedrock Social Dilemmas research.
  
−
===In-class===
+
===In-Class===
  
−
:*A continuum of views of justice...
+
:*Unit 2: Moral Psychology worksheet posted.
−
:*The Paradox of Moral Experience.  
 
−
:*Assign SW2: Understanding Political Difference
 
  
−
===Paradox of Moral Experience===  
+
===Hibbing, et. al. ''Predisposed'' Chapter 2===
  
−
::*The Paradox of Moral Experience involves a conflict between two "standpoints" for seeing values.  1 and 2 below:
+
:*Begins with allegations that universities are left-biased.  Points out counterexample in Russell.  Students can be more radical than even lefty faculty. City college story.  34ff: ironically its most lasting intellectual movement was neoconservatism.
 +
 +
::*Point of story:
 +
:::*1) Colleges' political orientations have little predictable effect on their students. (Think about this in relationship to Gonzaga.)
 +
:::*2) Politics and political beliefs are fungible, change dep on time and place.  No discussions these days of Stalin-Trotskyism.  Or ADA, which conservatisms opposed. True, issues and labels change, but, acc to Hibbing et al, adult humans do not vary in orientation, politics is, at its core, dealing with a constant problem, invariable.  Found in "bedrock social dilemmas" (BSDs).   
  
−
::*1. We '''experience our morality''' as beliefs we hold true. They are compelling to us in a way that leads us to expect others to find them compelling. We can be surprised or frustrated that others do not see our reasons as compelling.  From this standpoint, '''our moral truths feel necessary rather than contingent'''.   
+
:*Back to Aristotle
−
:::*Examples: "What's wrong with those (lib/con)s, don't they see X/Y?" "How can anyone think it's ok to act like that?")   
+
::* "Man" is by nature political. -- Politics deep in our nature. But A also speculated that town life, while natural, was not original.  An achievement of sorts, not wholly natural.   
 +
::*Evidence: GWAS (Gene wide association studies) studies suggest more influence from gene difference on political orientation than economic prefs.
 +
::*Politics and Mating: Political orientation is one of the top correlate predicting mate selection.  (39). We do look for diff personality traits in a partner, but not when it comes to pol orientation (or drinking behavior and religion!).  Considers two objections: mates become similar over time or the correlation is an effect of the selection pool "social homogamy" But no sign of convergence of orientation over time of relationship (but views on gender roles tend to diverge! ''Nota bene''!).  Studies controlling for demographic factors undermine second objection.  
  
−
::*2. But, when we '''study morality as a functional system''' that integrates people who see and interpret the world differently, it is less surprising that we often do not find each others' reasoning or choices compelling. We can also see how groups of people might develop "values cultures" that diverge on entire sets of values (or, "cooperative toolkits") while still solving some of the same underlying problems that all human societies face.  From this standpoint, the functions of morality are universal, but the specific strategies that individuals and cultures take seem very contingent. ''But, knowing this, why don’t we experience our own values as contingent?''
+
::*Politics is connected to willingness to punish political difference. (Which helps explain our sensitivity to "political prosecution".) 40-41.
−
::*Examples:
 
−
:::*Sociocentric / Individualist cultures, Specific histories that groups experience (Us vs. Europe vs. Oppressed peoples - Slavery, Sicily...)
 
−
:::*Honor Cultures v Shame Cultures
 
−
:::*Variations in Impersonal Honesty, Trust of strangers, focus on intentions, analytic thinking (Henrich C1).
 
−
:::*Roughly, 1 is normal experience, when you are "in your head".  2 reflects an attempt, through knowledge, to get a "third person" experience, to "get out of your head".
 
−
:::*Likely evolutionary basis: Belief commitment (believing that our beliefs are true) is advantageous, but we also need to be open to belief revision through social encounters.
 
  
−
:*'''Some implications''':
+
:*Differences Galore?
−
::*We have a bias against seeing others' moral beliefs as functional.  Rather, we see them as caused by their culture, and often wrongheaded. For example, we might say that "Italians are more sociocentric because their culture makes them that way." Rather than what the third person knowledge tells us: that sociocentric cultures function to solve basic problems, just like individualistic ones.
+
::*Need to separate issues, labels, and bedrock social dilemmas.
−
::*On the other hand, if there are many cultural strategies ("cooperative toolkits", moral matrices, state of political discourse) that are "functional" (they work to broadly prompt life affirming outcomes in the society), then there might also be "disfunctional strategies.  [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Island#:~:text=Easter%20Island%20(Rapa%20Nui%3A%20Rapa,the%20Polynesian%20Triangle%20in%20Oceania. Rapa Nui]. If morality is an evolved set of behaviors, including the capacity to be changed by our cultures, perhaps we can focus on ways of assessing it apart from ideology? Not sure....
+
::*'''Issues''' arise naturally in the society, but can also be "promoted" by actors and parties. 
 +
::*'''Labels''' distinguish groups contesting issues.  They organize approaches to issues by orientation.  Practically, political parties do this, but also media.  Labels and parties shift over time, presumably as they compete for voters (or, "package them".) 
 +
::*”Labels are simply the vocabulary employed to describe the reasonably systematic orientations toward issues that float around a polity at a given time.” 41
 +
::*Label "liberal" - today means mildly libertarian, but liberal economic policy isn't libertarian at all (involves income transfer).  Mentions historical origin of Left/Right. Generally, liberals are more about equality and tolerance, but communists can be authoritarian.  Generally, conservatives focus on authority, hierarchy, and order (more than libs), but they often defend rights in ways that make common cause with liberals (protections from the gov't, free speech).
 +
 
 +
::*Conclusion they are resisting: (43): political beliefs are so multidimensional and variable that left and right don't have any stable meaning. '''Ideology is fluid, but there are universals''' (regarding BSDs).
 +
 
 +
:*Commonality Reigns! Political Universals
 +
::*Bedrock social dilemmas (BSD): "core preferences about the organization, structure, and conduct of mass social life" 44
 +
::*BSDS: leadership, decision-making, resource distribution, punishment, protection, and orientation to tradition vs change.
 +
::*Questions associated with BSDs: How should we make decisions? What rules to follow? What do we do with rule violators? Should we try something new or stick with tradition?
 +
::*Predispositions defined: political orientations that are biologically instantiated.  these differences are more stable than labels and issues.
 +
::*Example of conceptual framework at work:  attitudes toward military intervention.  tells the story of changing conservative views of intervention, Lindbergh and the AFC.  Late 20th century conservatives were interventionists (commie domino theory), but early century conservatives were isolationists.  These changes make sense in relation to the bedrock challenge of dealing with external threats.  Shifting analysis of threats can change policy 180 degrees.  48: Pearl Harbor!
 +
::*Example 2: Conservatives softening  on immigration after electoral defeats in 2012. Early politics leading to DACA?  Conservatives still consistently more suspicious of out groups.  (heightened threat detection)
 +
::*Note the possibilities: Same view of issue, different ideologies expressing different orientations (Vietnam).  Same orientation expressed in different ideologies and different positions on issues (Conservative isolationism before/after Pearl Harbor). 
 +
 
 +
::*Key point in the theory is that these "bedrock dilemmas" occur once cities become too large for people to know each other.  Interesting point: We had to use principles to express ourselves about these BSDs because we couldn't influence each other directly.
 +
 
 +
:*"Society works best when..."
 +
::*Bold thesis: looking for universality as: consistent differences across time and culture.  Example: ''Optimates'' and ''populares'' in Ancient Greece. 
 +
::*Left and right have deep associations. left handed suspect.
 +
::*History of research on connection between core preferences on leadership, defense, punishment of norm violators, devotion to traditional behavioral standards, distribution of resources. Laponce.  Haidt's MFT. 
 +
::*Look at the 4BSDs in relations to Haidt's MFT: 
 +
:::*1. Adherence to tradition. (Neophobia/philia)
 +
:::*2. Treatment of outgroups and rule breakers (cooperation, defection, threat)  (C, F, L)
 +
:::*3. Role of group/individual (freeriding, self-interest, social commitment) (F, L)
 +
:::*4. Authority and Leadership (Legitimate authority and hierarchy) (A)
 +
::*"Society works best Index"  2007 research "Predicted issue attitudes, ideological self-placement, and party identification with astonishing accuracy" .6 correlation. Pursuing international research with SWB. Note this is "synchronous" research. A snapshot of both BSD and Issue orientation.   We will see similar empirical support for the MFT in Haidt, C8.
  
 
===Haidt, Chapter 8: The Conservative Advantage===
 
===Haidt, Chapter 8: The Conservative Advantage===
Line 78: Line 104:
 
:*Summary: Liberals have emphasize C, F, Lib while conservatives balance all six.  Libs construe Fairness in more egalitarian ways and have diff emphasis for Liberty/Oppression.  Many liberals and conservatives have a hard time forming a positive image of each other, but when you think about this, it sounds like something to work on.  In light of this research and theorizing, one could see that as a character flaw or unsupported bias.
 
:*Summary: Liberals have emphasize C, F, Lib while conservatives balance all six.  Libs construe Fairness in more egalitarian ways and have diff emphasis for Liberty/Oppression.  Many liberals and conservatives have a hard time forming a positive image of each other, but when you think about this, it sounds like something to work on.  In light of this research and theorizing, one could see that as a character flaw or unsupported bias.
  
−
===SW2: Understanding Political Difference (600 words)===
 
−
 
−
:*'''Stage 1''': Please write an 600 word maximum answer to the following question by '''Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 11:59pm.'''
 
−
::*Topic: We have been discussing political orientation and political difference from the standpoints of political science and evolutionary moral psychology.  What is political orientation for Hibbing, and what evidence (cite specific studies) does he use to establish his theory? (approximately 400 words) Then, in the last 200 words of your answer, identify ways in which this theory of political orientation and difference suggests practical strategies to avoid polarized and non-cooperative political discourse and outcomes.
 
−
 
−
:*'''Advice about collaboration''': Collaboration is part of the academic process and the intellectual world that college courses are based on, so it is important to me that you have the possibility to collaborate.  I encourage you to collaborate with other students, but only up to the point of sharing ideas, references to class notes, and your own notes, '''verbally'''.  Collaboration  is also a great way to make sure that a high average level of learning and development occurs in the class.  The best way to avoid plagiarism is to NOT share text of draft answers or outlines of your answer.  Keep it verbal.  Generate your own examples. 
 
−
 
−
:*Prepare your answer and submit it in the following way. '''You will lose points''' if you do not follow these instructions:
 
−
 
−
::# To assure anonymity, you must remove your name from the the "author name" that you may have provided when you set up your word processing application. For instructions on removing your name from an Word or Google document, [[https://wiki.gonzaga.edu/alfino/index.php/Removing_your_name_from_a_Word_file click here]].
 
−
::# Format your answer in double spaced text, in a typical 12 point font, and using normal margins. Do not add spaces between paragraphs and indent the first line of each paragraph. 
 
−
::# '''Do not put your name in the file or filename'''.  You may put your student ID number in the file.  Always put a word count in the file. Save your file for this assignment with the name: '''PoliticalDifference'''.
 
−
::# To turn in your assignment, log into courses.alfino.org, click on the '''"1.2 Points - SW2 - Political Difference"''' dropbox.
 
−
::# If you cannot meet a deadline, you must email me about your circumstances (unless you are having an emergency) '''before''' the deadline or you will lose points. 
 
−
 
−
:*'''Stage 2''': Please evaluate '''four''' student answers and provide brief comments and a score. Review the [[Assignment Rubric]] for this exercise.  We will be using the Flow and Content areas of the rubric for this assignment. Complete your evaluations and scoring by '''TBD, 2023, 11:59pm.'''
 
−
 
 
−
::*To determine the papers you need to peer review, open the file called "#Key.xls" in the shared folder. You will see a worksheet with saint names in alphabetically order, along with animal names.  Find your saint name and review the next four (4) animals' work below your animal name. If you get to the bottom of the list before reaching 4 animals, go to the top of the list and continue. 
 
−
 
−
::*Use [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScBr7Re9VbLaFk8doTPu5h81I5PE7aRJ19x9vq-oHAst0R9eg/viewform?usp=sf_link this Google Form] to evaluate '''four''' peer papers. Submit the form once for each review.
 
−
 
−
::*Some papers may arrive late.  If you are in line to review a missing paper, allow a day or two for it to show up.  If it does not show up, go back to the key and review the next animal's paper, continuing until you get four reviews. Do not review more than four papers.
 
−
 
−
:*'''Stage 3''': I will grade and briefly comment on your writing using the peer scores as an initial ranking.  Assuming the process works normally, most of my scores probably be within 1-2 points of the peer scores, plus or minus. 
 
−
 
−
:*'''Stage 4''': Back-evaluation: After you receive your peer comments and my evaluation, take a few minutes to fill out this quick "back evaluation" rating form: [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdgKCYITDTSOOHcvC3TAVNK-EZDsP4jiiyPj-7jdpRoNUsLPA/viewform?usp=sf_link].  '''Fill out the form for each reviewer, but not Alfino.'''  '''You must do the back evaluation to receive credit for the whole assignment.'''  Failing to give back-evaluations unfairly affects other classmates.
 
−
 
−
::*Back evaluations are due '''TBD, 2023, 11:59pm'''.
 
−
 
−
===Tools for working with Political Orientation and Different Moral Matrices===
 
−
 
−
:*A big problem that Haidt's "Moral Foundations Theory" (MFT) leaves us with is, "How do we interact with people with different matrices and different experiences, especially concerning political value differences, when we hold our own views with conviction and sense of their truth? In other words, how do we deal with the '''Paradox of Moral Experience'''?
 
−
 
−
:*Why this is ''soo'' difficult...
 
−
::*We often unintentionally (and, for some people, intentionally) create "cognitive dissonance" in a discussion, leading people to find ways to stop the pain, rather than listen to the issues. This can escalate.
 
−
::*We don't always have reasons for our convictions, but, as we know from the dumbfounding research, we "confabulate". We confuse intuitions with reasoned conviction.  This can lead us to "pile on" arguments, thinking they are persuasive apart from the intuitions (moral matrix) that support them. But if you don't have those intuitions, the "pile on" can feel aggressive.
 
−
::*We don't all react the same way when our views are criticized.  (Remember Socrates' attitude here. Noble but difficult to achieve.)
 
−
 
−
:*'''1. Three Basic Strategies:'''
 
−
::*A. Explore differences gently. Monitor your vital signs and those of your interlocutors.
 
−
::*B. Find common goals or things to affirm. (Example of landlord interaction last semester.)
 
−
::*C. Model exploratory thought. (How do you do that, specifically?)  See ''sympathetic interpretation'' below.
 
−
::*These strategies obviously move you in different directions in a conversation, but they can all be used together to manage "dissonance" and tension in a discussion.
 
  
−
:*'''2. Practice Sympathetic Interpretation'''
+
===Moral Psychology Unit Assessment===
−
::*In general, sympathetic interpretation involves strategies that mix "identification" (peanuts for the elephant) with "critical engagement" (rational persuasion, expression of value differences)
 
−
::*Try to understand where a view is "coming from".  Ask questions.
 
−
::*Restate views, checking for fairness.
 
−
::*Practice "strategic dissimulation" (controversial for some).  "I'm still working out my views here..." when you really have pretty well worked out views, even one's you are proud of and think to be true (Paradox of Moral Experience)
 
−
::*Practice "strategic self-deprecation" - Acknowledge knowledge deficits as a way of validating that the other person has a knowledge-base for their view, even if it's not likely to be persuasive to you.
 
−
::*Use verbal cues that indicate (if possible) that views you disagree with are "reasonable" and/or "understandable".  That could mean:
 
−
:::*1. The view is reasonable, even if you disagree. Preface your disagreement by acknowledging this. 
 
−
::::*Example: "Reasonable and well-informed people disagree on this..."... "Well, your in good company..."
 
−
:::*2. The view seems unreasonable, but you focus on some intuitions that support it, even if you don't share these intuitions.
 
−
::::*Example: I can see how/why someone would feel this way..., but...
 
−
:::*3. The view seems unreasonable and false to you, but it is one that many people hold.
 
−
::::*Example: Acknowledging that the view is widely held without endorsing it.  You can also "deflect" to the complexity of the problem or human nature...
 
  
−
:*'''3. Other miscellaneous strategies''' (many contributed by students):
+
:*Our Unit on Moral Psychology began on February 8 with learning on System 1 and 2, Churchland's chapter 4, "Norms and Values", and our study of empathy over two classes.  Then we took a break for Dobbs and returned to the unit on February 29 with Churchland's Chapter 5, "I'm just that way."  The unit finishes this week with Haidt's Moral Foundations theory (MFT), his MFQ research, and Hibbing's theory of Bedrock Social Dilemmas.
  
−
:*Acknowledge that an opposing view may be insightful for others, even if not for you.
+
:*Here is the [https://forms.gle/JjuMsSrs2KtgNhT56 google form] this this assessment.  It will be due on the '''Friday after Spring Break, March 22nd, at midnight.'''
−
:*Cultivate diverse relationships if possible.
 
−
:*Avoid pejorative labels.
 
−
:*Views can change even if orientations don't.  Focus on views, not orientations.
 
−
:*Accept differences that won't change (validate them in others, as you would other differences), focus on pragmatics and cooperation.
 
−
:*Humor, if possible.  Self-effacing humor can set the stage.
 
−
:*Acknowledge physio-politics in the discussion.  Give people "permission" or space to "out" themselves as libs and cons.
 
−
:*Acknowledge your own orientation and expect it to be respected.
 
−
:*Don't "sugar coat" differences.  (Be true to yourself.)
 

Latest revision as of 16:04, 17 October 2024

16: OCT 17.

Assigned

  • Haidt, C8 - "The Conservative Advantage," (155-163; 8) - MFQ research supporting MFT.
  • Hibbing C2 – “Getting into Bedrock with Politics” – (33-56; 23) – political orientation v political issues, Bedrock Social Dilemmas research.

In-Class

  • Unit 2: Moral Psychology worksheet posted.

Hibbing, et. al. Predisposed Chapter 2

  • Begins with allegations that universities are left-biased. Points out counterexample in Russell. Students can be more radical than even lefty faculty. City college story. 34ff: ironically its most lasting intellectual movement was neoconservatism.
  • Point of story:
  • 1) Colleges' political orientations have little predictable effect on their students. (Think about this in relationship to Gonzaga.)
  • 2) Politics and political beliefs are fungible, change dep on time and place. No discussions these days of Stalin-Trotskyism. Or ADA, which conservatisms opposed. True, issues and labels change, but, acc to Hibbing et al, adult humans do not vary in orientation, politics is, at its core, dealing with a constant problem, invariable. Found in "bedrock social dilemmas" (BSDs).
  • Back to Aristotle
  • "Man" is by nature political. -- Politics deep in our nature. But A also speculated that town life, while natural, was not original. An achievement of sorts, not wholly natural.
  • Evidence: GWAS (Gene wide association studies) studies suggest more influence from gene difference on political orientation than economic prefs.
  • Politics and Mating: Political orientation is one of the top correlate predicting mate selection. (39). We do look for diff personality traits in a partner, but not when it comes to pol orientation (or drinking behavior and religion!). Considers two objections: mates become similar over time or the correlation is an effect of the selection pool "social homogamy" But no sign of convergence of orientation over time of relationship (but views on gender roles tend to diverge! Nota bene!). Studies controlling for demographic factors undermine second objection.
  • Politics is connected to willingness to punish political difference. (Which helps explain our sensitivity to "political prosecution".) 40-41.
  • Differences Galore?
  • Need to separate issues, labels, and bedrock social dilemmas.
  • Issues arise naturally in the society, but can also be "promoted" by actors and parties.
  • Labels distinguish groups contesting issues. They organize approaches to issues by orientation. Practically, political parties do this, but also media. Labels and parties shift over time, presumably as they compete for voters (or, "package them".)
  • ”Labels are simply the vocabulary employed to describe the reasonably systematic orientations toward issues that float around a polity at a given time.” 41
  • Label "liberal" - today means mildly libertarian, but liberal economic policy isn't libertarian at all (involves income transfer). Mentions historical origin of Left/Right. Generally, liberals are more about equality and tolerance, but communists can be authoritarian. Generally, conservatives focus on authority, hierarchy, and order (more than libs), but they often defend rights in ways that make common cause with liberals (protections from the gov't, free speech).
  • Conclusion they are resisting: (43): political beliefs are so multidimensional and variable that left and right don't have any stable meaning. Ideology is fluid, but there are universals (regarding BSDs).
  • Commonality Reigns! Political Universals
  • Bedrock social dilemmas (BSD): "core preferences about the organization, structure, and conduct of mass social life" 44
  • BSDS: leadership, decision-making, resource distribution, punishment, protection, and orientation to tradition vs change.
  • Questions associated with BSDs: How should we make decisions? What rules to follow? What do we do with rule violators? Should we try something new or stick with tradition?
  • Predispositions defined: political orientations that are biologically instantiated. these differences are more stable than labels and issues.
  • Example of conceptual framework at work: attitudes toward military intervention. tells the story of changing conservative views of intervention, Lindbergh and the AFC. Late 20th century conservatives were interventionists (commie domino theory), but early century conservatives were isolationists. These changes make sense in relation to the bedrock challenge of dealing with external threats. Shifting analysis of threats can change policy 180 degrees. 48: Pearl Harbor!
  • Example 2: Conservatives softening on immigration after electoral defeats in 2012. Early politics leading to DACA? Conservatives still consistently more suspicious of out groups. (heightened threat detection)
  • Note the possibilities: Same view of issue, different ideologies expressing different orientations (Vietnam). Same orientation expressed in different ideologies and different positions on issues (Conservative isolationism before/after Pearl Harbor).
  • Key point in the theory is that these "bedrock dilemmas" occur once cities become too large for people to know each other. Interesting point: We had to use principles to express ourselves about these BSDs because we couldn't influence each other directly.
  • "Society works best when..."
  • Bold thesis: looking for universality as: consistent differences across time and culture. Example: Optimates and populares in Ancient Greece.
  • Left and right have deep associations. left handed suspect.
  • History of research on connection between core preferences on leadership, defense, punishment of norm violators, devotion to traditional behavioral standards, distribution of resources. Laponce. Haidt's MFT.
  • Look at the 4BSDs in relations to Haidt's MFT:
  • 1. Adherence to tradition. (Neophobia/philia)
  • 2. Treatment of outgroups and rule breakers (cooperation, defection, threat) (C, F, L)
  • 3. Role of group/individual (freeriding, self-interest, social commitment) (F, L)
  • 4. Authority and Leadership (Legitimate authority and hierarchy) (A)
  • "Society works best Index" 2007 research "Predicted issue attitudes, ideological self-placement, and party identification with astonishing accuracy" .6 correlation. Pursuing international research with SWB. Note this is "synchronous" research. A snapshot of both BSD and Issue orientation. We will see similar empirical support for the MFT in Haidt, C8.

Haidt, Chapter 8: The Conservative Advantage

  • Hadit's critique of Dems: Dems offer sugar (Care) and salt (Fairness), conservatives appeal to all five receptors. Imagine the value of "rewriting" our own or opposing ideologies as Haidt imagined doing. Dems should appeal to loyalty and authority more. Neglect may be ommission and underrepresent Dems (recall discussion of labels and issues. We could add "values".)
  • Republicans seemed to Haidt to understand moral psych better, not because they were fear mongering, but triggering all of the moral moral foundations. Equalizer metaphor.
  • Measuring Morals
  • The MFQ: consistency across cultures; large n;
  • 162: Correlations of pol orientation with preferences for dog breeds, training, sermon styles. You can catch liberal and conservative "surprise" in the EEG and fMRI.(similar to early Hibbing reading).
  • What Makes People Vote Republican?
  • biographical note about tracking Obama on left/right triggers. Message on parental resp, but then shift to social justice, global citizenship, omitted flag lapel pin.
  • 164: Haidt's argument for replacing "old story" of political difference: there's something wrong with conservatives! Note reactions to his essay: some libs/conserv found it hard to establish a positive view of their "opponents". Haidt has implicit critique of Libs by saying that organic society can't just be about 2 foundations. Experience with his essay. follow.
  • Mill vs. Durkheim - responses to the challenge of living with strangers in modern society. Individualism vs. Organic society. Haidt’s essay triggers lots of political venom. From that response, however, Haidt noticed that he was missing a foundation: Fairness as proportionality. You reap what you sow. The fairness foundation mixed fairness as equality and fairness as proportionality.
  • 6th Moral foundation: liberty and oppression: taking the "fairness as equality" from Fairness and considers it in terms of Liberty/Oppression. [Some discussion here. Note relation to Authority/Leadership in Hibbing. Equality here means social equality and social hierarchy. When do we expect equal treatment? When do we tolerate hierarchy? When to we rebel. Similarity to Authority/subversion, but more than legitimacy of one authority figure, rather social hierarchy.
  • The Liberty / Oppression Foundation
  • ”The desire for equality more closely related to psychology of liberty / oppression that reciprocal altruism.
  • Evolutionary story about hierarchy.
  • Original triggers: bullies and tyrants, current triggers: illegit. restraint on liberty.
  • Evolutionary/Archeological story: egalitarianism in hunter gatherers, hierarchy comes with agriculture.
  • Emergence of pre-ag dominance strategies -- 500,000ya weapons for human conflict (and language to complain about bullies and tyrants) takes off. This changes the strategic problem. Parallel in Chimps: revolutions: "reverse dominance hierarchies" are possible.
  • Cultural Evo Theory on cultural strategies toward equality: Societies make transition to some form of political egalitarianism (equality of citizenship or civic equality). We've had time to select for people who can tolerate political equality and surrender violence to the state. (Got to mention dueling here.) Culture domestics us. "Self-domestication".
  • ”The liberty/oppression foundation evolved in response to the adaptive challenge of living in small groups with individuals who would, if gen the chance, dominate, bully, and constrain others.
  • Liberal vs. Conservative triggers on Liberty/Oppression:
  • Liberals experience this in terms of universalistic goals like social justice, abuse of the power of the most fortunate. Oppressed individuals.
  • Conservatives triggered more by group level concerns. The nanny state is oppression, taxation is oppressive, globalism is a threat to sovereignty.
  • 'Fairness as Proportionality’
  • After mortgage crisis recession of 2008 some like Santelli thought it unfair to bail out banks and borrowers. This is really a conservative version of fairness as proportionality, which shares some features of the "reciprocal altruism", such as necessity of punishment.
  • Public Goods games (again). Setup. 1.6 multiplier. Still, best strategy is not to contribute. altruistic punishment can be stimulated (84% do) even without immediate reward. cooperation increases. 84% paid to punish because we are triggered by slackers and free riders.
  • In the research on Liberty / Oppression, Haidt and others find that concerns about political equality track Lib/Oppression, so fairness is about proportionality.
  • Summary: Liberals have emphasize C, F, Lib while conservatives balance all six. Libs construe Fairness in more egalitarian ways and have diff emphasis for Liberty/Oppression. Many liberals and conservatives have a hard time forming a positive image of each other, but when you think about this, it sounds like something to work on. In light of this research and theorizing, one could see that as a character flaw or unsupported bias.


Moral Psychology Unit Assessment

  • Our Unit on Moral Psychology began on February 8 with learning on System 1 and 2, Churchland's chapter 4, "Norms and Values", and our study of empathy over two classes. Then we took a break for Dobbs and returned to the unit on February 29 with Churchland's Chapter 5, "I'm just that way." The unit finishes this week with Haidt's Moral Foundations theory (MFT), his MFQ research, and Hibbing's theory of Bedrock Social Dilemmas.
  • Here is the google form this this assessment. It will be due on the Friday after Spring Break, March 22nd, at midnight.
Retrieved from "http://wiki.gonzaga.edu/alfino/index.php?title=OCT_17&oldid=28539"