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2 posts found
Apr 19, 2015
ssc
8 min 1,017 words 340 comments
Scott Alexander proposes that academics blaming their own demographic for societal problems stems from a desire to justify helping others within their moral framework. Longer summary
Scott Alexander explores the paradox of academics from privileged backgrounds attributing societal problems to their own demographic group. He proposes that this behavior might stem from a fundamental human goodness, combined with a common moral framework he calls 'Moral Therapeutic Deontology'. This framework struggles to justify helping others without obligation, leading people to create reasons why suffering is their fault to align with their moral system. Scott suggests that utilitarianism offers a more straightforward justification for helping others without needing to assign blame, and argues this approach might be more effective in motivating aid without the drawbacks of identity-based guilt. Shorter summary
Apr 18, 2013
ssc
25 min 3,418 words 173 comments
Scott Alexander argues that generalizing male violence to all men is problematic, drawing parallels with racist generalizations about crime. Longer summary
Scott Alexander critiques arguments that generalize male violence to all men, drawing a parallel with how similar arguments about black people and crime would be considered racist. He analyzes statistics on crime rates by race and gender, showing that while there are disproportions, it's unfair and counterproductive to treat all members of a group as dangerous. The post suggests ways to discuss violence and rape awareness more constructively, without unfairly stigmatizing entire groups. Scott emphasizes the importance of acknowledging that the vast majority of men are not violent, and argues that overgeneralizing can be harmful both to men and to the goal of reducing violence against women. Shorter summary