A relative of mine sent me this. See below for my response. (He and I have interesting conversations at family gatherings).
From: B
Sent: Monday, December 24, 2018 7:29 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Fwd: People with extreme political views have trouble thinking about their own thinking | Popular Science
Subject: People with extreme political views have trouble thinking about their own thinking | Popular Science Where do you fit in?
https://www.popsci.com/radical-politics-metacognition?Xp8jmF1R4LzFcQmK.14
Dear B:
I am neither a super liberal nor a super conservative
Rather, I am a moderate libertarian.
Who gets to define who’s views are extreme? Yes, moderate views of the sort I have are “extreme” in the sense that very few people hold them. But, “extreme” is not merely a statistical concept. It is also a heavily laden pejorative as well.
The first guy who thought the earth was round was initially “extreme.” The first guy who thought the earth revolved around the sun, rather than the other way around, was initially “extreme.” The first guy who said doctors ought to wash their hands between patients was initially “extreme.” We moderate libertarians are now “extreme” exactly in the sense that these pioneers were.
We libertarians favor liberty, the last best hope for humanity. Liberals and conservatives, whether moderate or “extreme,” oppose vast swatches of liberty. They are anti human.
Best regards,
Walter
Walter E. Block, Ph.D.
Harold E. Wirth Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair and Professor of Economics
6363 St. Charles Avenue
Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, LA 70118
[email protected]
tel: 504 864 7934
skype: Walter.Block4
