"___ism": Philosophical Tool to Differentiate Groups vs. Cultural Tool to Press an Agenda
Posted by Wonky 11 years, 10 months ago to Philosophy
I gather that quite a few folks here consider most (if not all) "isms" to be useless cultural weapons to be wielded by victims and victimizers.
Isn't an "ism" devoid of the cultural connotations of specific "isms" simply a concept used to differentiate groups of people?
Buddhism, Catholicism, Objectivism, capitalism
Isn't an "ism" devoid of the cultural connotations of specific "isms" simply a concept used to differentiate groups of people?
Buddhism, Catholicism, Objectivism, capitalism
"F@+% you! I won't do what you told me!"
Not a bad mantra, though.....
Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage.
“Bullet with butterfly wings”
Smashing Pumpkins
hmmmm, you have more free will than this...but I like the song
[Good question about does that make us all victims of the 'isms'. As a group I think yes it can, but as the individual I don't think so.]
...in both contexts.
Admittedly, I feel this way about Objectivism despite the fact that it needs no defense.
Isms are constantly being used by politicians to create bad guys of the opposition and gain favor by the supporters of the politician. Example: the progressives have to try and paint the Tea Party as racist so there's a knee jerk reaction to not even look at their point of view lest you also be racist.
Is this a recent phenomenon? Not hardly.
The conqueror and conquered vary with the agenda being pushed and the end goal.
'They' can gain and maintain power by keeping everyone divided which removes power from those divided.
Good question about does that make us all victims of the 'isms'. As a group I think yes it can, but as the individual I don't think so.
By whom? Politicians, social leaders, everyday Joe's, etc.? Is this a recent phenomenon only?
I can see that "some" are using them to divide, but who is conquering and who is being conquered?
[a strategy to gain or maintain power]
If the "they" gain or maintain power, does that make the "us" victims of all "isms" - ismism?
Point for high degree of relevance (to this post and some others). Thanks! I'd like to see your viewpoint with more detail.
From Wikipedia:
Divide and conquer (derived from the Latin saying Divide et impera) may refer to:
Divide and rule, in politics, sociology and economics, a strategy to gain or maintain power
Defeat in detail, in warfare, a tactical maneuver to efficiently deal with a numerous opponent.
3 thinks I hate:
1. Lists
2. Bumper stickers
3. Irony
Maybe "ism" has been commandeered. Not the first time that's happened.