I kind of get what you are saying, but I would also proffer the thought that neuro science ( and neural pathways ) & the decisions made by individuals regarding identity, life choices & decision making is a particularly complex area to eludidate, & that contemporary research in existence internationally, is worth looking into.
It is an emerging area of science, obvs, in terms of clinical imaging & I personally, find it incredibly fascinating to see the different theoretical applications of applied neurosciences, developing alongside the technical field of research.
I don't disagree individual decision making is quite a complex subject, I'd just say in my defense there's only so much I could focus on in one essay.
Political alignment reflects a number of factors, not simply cognitive ability, but there is considerable research exposing the consistent disparities in cognitive functioning between left/liberal and right/fascist individuals. It's not a coincidence when right/fascist voters and those they elect speak, they betray an inability to understand complex subjects, nor is it a coincidence they exhibit hostility towards education and the highly educated.
Another aspect of research I'm interested in is the relationship between personality features/styles and political views. For example, this research John Jost of NYU, who studies the personality characteristics right wing authoritarianism and social dominance:
'The ideological basis of antiscientific attitudes: Effects of authoritarianism, conservatism, religiosity, social dominance, and system justification' // Azevedo and Jost (2021)
"Republicans, conservatives, religious people, those who were less educated, and individuals who scored higher on authoritarianism, social dominance, and system justification were more likely than others to express antiscientific attitudes. These results are broadly consistent with previous findings in social science..."
Yes, I will look into that, thanks Ian. I just have personal experience in UK of meeting many highly educated right-wingers in my time. PHDs 'n all, & also I've found that a sizeable % of 'right on lefties' here, -during Covid -, took a weird ' libertarian' segue towards internet fueled conspiracy style neo-liberalistic gobbledegook.
Also, many of the white middle classes who may exhibit social democratic voting inclinations, are often quite shockingly classist & racist. There have been plenty of highly educated imbeciles on the Oxbridge merry go round for decades.
After a few vinos, the unsayables become sayable etc
The latest lot in Westminster are the Thatcher's Spawn Generation, perhaps.... 😎
I saw your comments on Aeon this AM regarding Kurt Gödel and googled you. So very spot on and articulate.. thank you.. This article, as well, shows a level of education and clarity one rarely comes across. Thank you
I kind of get what you are saying, but I would also proffer the thought that neuro science ( and neural pathways ) & the decisions made by individuals regarding identity, life choices & decision making is a particularly complex area to eludidate, & that contemporary research in existence internationally, is worth looking into.
It is an emerging area of science, obvs, in terms of clinical imaging & I personally, find it incredibly fascinating to see the different theoretical applications of applied neurosciences, developing alongside the technical field of research.
I don't disagree individual decision making is quite a complex subject, I'd just say in my defense there's only so much I could focus on in one essay.
Political alignment reflects a number of factors, not simply cognitive ability, but there is considerable research exposing the consistent disparities in cognitive functioning between left/liberal and right/fascist individuals. It's not a coincidence when right/fascist voters and those they elect speak, they betray an inability to understand complex subjects, nor is it a coincidence they exhibit hostility towards education and the highly educated.
Another aspect of research I'm interested in is the relationship between personality features/styles and political views. For example, this research John Jost of NYU, who studies the personality characteristics right wing authoritarianism and social dominance:
'The ideological basis of antiscientific attitudes: Effects of authoritarianism, conservatism, religiosity, social dominance, and system justification' // Azevedo and Jost (2021)
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1368430221990104
"Republicans, conservatives, religious people, those who were less educated, and individuals who scored higher on authoritarianism, social dominance, and system justification were more likely than others to express antiscientific attitudes. These results are broadly consistent with previous findings in social science..."
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
Best regards,
IDR
Yes, I will look into that, thanks Ian. I just have personal experience in UK of meeting many highly educated right-wingers in my time. PHDs 'n all, & also I've found that a sizeable % of 'right on lefties' here, -during Covid -, took a weird ' libertarian' segue towards internet fueled conspiracy style neo-liberalistic gobbledegook.
Also, many of the white middle classes who may exhibit social democratic voting inclinations, are often quite shockingly classist & racist. There have been plenty of highly educated imbeciles on the Oxbridge merry go round for decades.
After a few vinos, the unsayables become sayable etc
The latest lot in Westminster are the Thatcher's Spawn Generation, perhaps.... 😎
I saw your comments on Aeon this AM regarding Kurt Gödel and googled you. So very spot on and articulate.. thank you.. This article, as well, shows a level of education and clarity one rarely comes across. Thank you
Thank you for reading and the kind words!
Much appreciated.