[ExI] Clark abstract

[BillK]

On Jan 10, 2008 8:12 AM, hkhenson wrote:
> The behavior related to "political correctness" with respect to
> different cultures is a widespread behavior in western culture.  (In
> this case I think we have to leave out Japan which I normally count
> in the western culture block.)  Therefore there must be an evolved
> underlying psychological mechanism involved.
>
> Maybe this behavior is entirely due to the psychological mechanisms
> we use to pick up rock chipping or washing dishes, but I doubt
> it.  People hold PC views much more emotionally than they hold ways
> to knit.  When strong emotions are involved it's telling you
> *something.*  This meme is tapping some evolved psychological
> mechanism that was significant at some time in our past.  I don't
> know the original function but this is the way the logical
> progression goes in using EP.
>
> As a guess it's tapping the same psychological mechanisms as other
> political matters.  Or it may be tapping the closely related
> religious mechanisms.  Dr. Weston did work that's close enough he
> might be able to shed some light on this if asked.
>


The problem I see with "political correctness" is that it is mostly a
public fashion.

You have to be seen to be behaving in a PC fashion, otherwise the dogs
start hounding you to apologise for your despicable statements. Many
people (myself included) hold opinions that disagree strongly with the
current PC fashion. But we have learned to keep our mouths shut in
public.

This is rather like males adopting the 'New Man' image and displaying
behaviour like pretending to be caring, considerate, liking poetry,
supporting female rights, etc. because that is the current fashion for
success with women. It doesn't change the underlying belief set of
males, which comes out in male havens such as the locker room,
drinking dens, the army, etc.

I.e. It is only a current etiquette for behaving in public, not an EP
driven instinct.


BillK