What I do believe is that prejudice is a subtle force. It is most obvious in obvious forms of discrimination against minority groups. However, that is the tip of the iceberg, ranging to the much more subtle. Where does 'dislike' end and prejudice begin? — Jack Cummins
I wish to suggest that, on some level, every human being has some prejudice and that is what we have to work with too. — Jack Cummins
I'd agree, but it's not worth flagellating oneself over an attitude one has on a subconscious level. — BitconnectCarlos
Why do you believe that overcoming prejudice is important?I do believe that overcoming prejudice is important, and is an ethical ideal, so I am asking to what extent can we reach this ideal, in order for people to live more harmoniously with all others? — Jack Cummins
Where does instinct end and where does belief come in? Where does emotion fit into the picture? — Jack Cummins
A belief is something that you actually consciously believe. People aren't guilty for their instincts or fantasies, if they were the entire world would deserve to burn. — BitconnectCarlos
There are ways for people to live harmoniously together: such as under tyrants; or when everyone knows their place and minds their own business. It doesn't make for a kumbaya-happy picture, of course, but it's harmonious.
Prejudice only begins to matter when an egalitarian social order is being imposed on people. — baker
Well, people have - or can have - a degree of control over their habitual behaviours. The terms "instinct," "sub-conscious," "habit," are all constructs and there is not real evidence as to exactly what they correlate. But conscious attention for sure can modify motives and habits which may have only been operating below the level of conscious awareness up until then. — Pantagruel
I understand that you are someone who is not racist. I was not brought up to be racist, but I grew up in an area which was white. I played with the children who were black or Asian but did see them being treated badly. One of my Asian friends got knocked unconscious while walking home from school.
I am also half Irish and when my dad first came to England he felt that he experience some racism against Irish people, so it is not straightforward . — Jack Cummins
Just because something can modify doesn't mean that it necessarily will modify given instinct. We don't really control our immediate responses. Sure we can try to do things to change them but there's no guarantee they'll succeed. Personally, I've had immediate negative conscious responses towards members of my own ethnic group as well as others so I guess I'm just basically racist against humanity at this point. — BitconnectCarlos
I would certainly say that people are not guilty for the fantasies which arise, but perhaps it matters how we react to our fantasies. I would see consciousness awareness of them as being the most important aspect, as processing them. — Jack Cummins
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