Reality Redefined
Reality is not something pre-existing that we must learn to deal with as best as possible. That would be inconvenient, and might impede our desires.
No, reality is whatever we define it to be.
Libertarians, My Libertarians!
Cruel to be kind means that I love you . Because, while I think you are mistaken, your hearts are in the right place -- yes, even you, Silas -- unlike some people . This Breitbart fellow (discussed in the link above), by all appearances, deliberately doctored a video of Shirley Sherrod to make her remarks appear virulently racist, when they had, in fact, the opposite import. I heard that at a recent Austrian conference, some folks were talking about "Callahan's conservative turn." While that description is not entirely inaccurate, I must say that a lot of these people who today call themselves conservative give me the heebie-jeebies.
Gene, they're not talking about redefining reality, they're talking about redefining what they see as a socially constructed conception of femininity. Now you may think that that conception of femininity is grounded in reality, but it mischaracterizes their position to say that they reject the notion that reality is something pre-existing. They just have different beliefs about that pre-existing reality than you do.
ReplyDeleteNo.
DeleteUm, would you care to elaborate?
DeleteKeshav, feminists already think that femininity is grounded in reality. If feminists state otherwise, they are free to toss out paternity leave, sexual harassment laws, abortion 'rights', etc., since, if these things are not tied to biological reality, they must be social and therefore, according to their own views, arbitrary!
DeleteFeminism is just female narcissism. It isn't even good philosophy.
"If feminists state otherwise, they are free to toss out paternity leave, sexual harassment laws, abortion 'rights', etc., since, if these things are not tied to biological reality, they must be social and therefore, according to their own views, arbitrary!"
DeleteFlounder!
"Feminism is just female narcissism."
That's a stretch.
What's wrong with this ad is that if you thought women were always capable of serving in the navy, you would not have to "redefine" them?
ReplyDeleteUsing the word "redefine" implies they were never suited for it in the first place.
Prateek, the problem is that they are *not* suited for it - at least not as well as men. Do some research on problems with pregnancy, sexual harassment, deployability due to injuries and medical problems, sensitivity training, etc. As an example, the Marine Corps. just finished a two year study on women in combat units, and they found out what the Brits have known for twenty years; women are not suited for these roles.
DeleteIf they were more brutal in their assessment, they would have found that women aren't as suitable for the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, etc. as men. The research is out there - look it up.
Really, in all honesty, this isn't (or at least, shouldn't) be a big surprise.
"Using the word 'redefine' implies they were never suited for it in the first place."
DeleteAgreed.