Dr. Hurd: Have American College Campuses Gone Truly Bonkers?
"You might think that abstract ideas in philosophy (or even psychology) have little relevance to daily life, or the wider society. But if you agree that our social and cultural/political institutions appear to be going mad, then look at where most of these trends start: American campuses. Keep in mind that most of our high level political and government officials (including the current president) are the ones who have succeeded in such crazy environments. What does this say about them?"
SOURCE URL: https://drhurd.com/55282/#.Vc4AP0MXvp0.facebook
I think what all of the success of the political and government officials as well as those in think tanks, foundations, and other institutions is really a reflection of two things. One is of course their raising and early education (indoctrination), but also being taught that they are meant to rule and that the means are not important, that the rest of us are meant to be their inferiors. I think many of them are psychopaths, if not from biological/mental causes, from indoctrination and training.
I have on rare occasion observed this wrongheaded view. I hope it's not as widespread as the author says.
Regarding "microagressions", if that just means little rude things people do, they probably never will go away. It's a good idea IMHO to avoid doing them and instead come out directly with our problems with others. Being passive-aggressive or micro-aggressive is cowardly, but most people have fallen into the trap on occasion. That means we all will probably be the target of these aggressions at some point. Tolerance of human foibles is virtue, but that's not the same as accepting them.
I think they're right to say avoid intentionally poking someone's past traumas but wrong to make a big deal of it. Most of this could be crudly summarized with Wheaton's law.
This reminds me of in common use selfishness can mean caring about your self or wanting to steal. Aggressive can mean using force, being assertive, or being annoying. I often hear people say they are being "aggressive" (in a good way) about trying to win an engineering project.
I agree, though, that I wouldn't call a rude behavior aggressive unless it involves getting in someone face. Maybe I would call it hostile. In any case, I see nothing hostile, impolite, etc about saying there's great opportunity in the US or the most qualified person should get the job. They are truisms.
Jan
I thought most everyone accepted those statements. I certainly do. I can't even imagine how they're aggressive or offensive in any way.