Philosophy Now Forum

I sat down with my neighbors who are very vocal Trump supporters. We very much like each other, and we talked about politics and opposing views while having a beer. It’s clear that we each have our reasons and disagreements about what to think, but we know each other are GOOD people (and we would help each other in an instant with anything), so we agreed that it’s more important to work together, focusing on what we agree on.

Platforms typically focus on what we don’t agree on, so that they can demonize the "other side” and claim themselves right and true. Yet there is always more of significance and importance than any single platform. The American political climate is so out of control and insane right now, it seems that nearly everyone is completely exhausted and disgusted by it. It's like an epic horror movie of self-righteous and warring monsters who hear only their master’s/platform’s voice.

Truly, we are clearer and more independent when we see broader views beyond any given platform. We recognize more potential when we aren’t identified with limiting stories. And we are more inclusive and cooperative when we aren’t pitted against each other.

WHO ARE WE when platforms aren’t running the show?

their platforms were pretty cool...



-Imp

Impenitent wrote: ↑Tue Aug 25, 2020 9:40 pm their platforms were pretty cool...

Agreed.

Lacewing wrote: ↑Tue Aug 25, 2020 9:27 pm WHO ARE WE when platforms aren’t running the show?

Being more human, of course!

Crude Platforms as in political divisions are driven by the inherent tribalism, i.e. the 'us versus them' primal impulse which was very necessary to facilitate survival especially in the past 10,000 -2000 years ago. But because the tribalistic impulse is inherent and embedded deep in the brain, it is not easy to modulate it despite we are now living the modern world of advancing knowledge and technology.

Thus it is critical for humans evolving to be more human to step off the primal platform of tribalism and not be blindly driven by it.
This is not easy because the majority of people are still actively driven by the tribalistic 'us versus them' impulse to see the 'other' as enemy in terms of ideology.

Worst still when the influential medias and other influential groups are also driven by the tribalistic 'us versus them' impulse and they will do their most evil ways in condemning and distance themselves from the 'them.'

It is up to the individuals to strive to rise above their own inherent tribalistic 'us versus them' and be more human.
The essential qualities needed are objectivity, rationality, wisdom, empathy, EQ and other more human traits to enable one to rise above one's tribalistic platform. This process must involve neural changes for the better.

Objectivity / rationality / wisdom / empathy are harder to acquire than tribalism which is for many the natural position to have
And so human beings as a species will only be able to truly eradicate one of their most basic instincts if the will to do so is there