Humanities Dystopian Philosophy: Cultural bias

Tiberiusmoon

Many of you may think of a bias as a distortion of facts, but have you ever wondered what it is like to be biased itself or how to be aware of being biased?

Here I will try my best to explain cultural bias and help you reflect on yourself to understand this bias and what you may think of this.

First of all you need to consider what culture is in a simplfied manner; thinking on it, culture changes between social groups be it a different country, to a family, a religion, a gender, or even a species and many more ways to identify a group of living things who interact with each other.
But this is not all, each and every social group has different experiences, traditions and other influences; each of which have two separate groups of needs and not needed (wants) for survival.

When raised many of us are exposed to social groups from team sports, to politics, religion, wars and many other forms of us vs them cultures, but what we are not taught is that what social bias is, its not in our culture to teach it at all.
Why is this? its because we are raised in a way that makes it acceptable through various experiences, like the emotional joy of your team winning or the comfort someone is watching out for you.
This can give the illusion of us vs them culture to be positive when this ideology can turn toxic if used unethically.

This raising of an individual to accept something as their culture is what can lead to flawed logic but also cause the individual to be blind to it as it is percieved to be good at a very young age.
For the individual it feels like its apart of their identity and as such would be motivated to defend it.

An example: If one were to be raised for immoral behaviour to be acceptable it can sway their decision by cultural bias and cause future judgement or attitude to also be immoral.
If one were to be raised to accept social bias it can influence diverse judgement or attitude towards other social groups.
If you combined the two you can get these issues: Racism, sexist acts, terrorism and many others causing unethical acts upon another social group.

What can I do to address my own cultural bias?
First of all identify what your culture is and how you were brought up.
Then seperate them into two groups of needs and not needed (wants) for your wellbeing/ survival.
Now question yourself as to why those things are put in those two groups from an unbiased perspective or reflection of self.
You may very well discover hidden biases that are some of your habits/judgements.

If you feel up to it you can share what you found, or if you think there is a flaw in this post let me know. :)

baker

What can I do to address my own cultural bias? — Tiberiusmoon

Be a hardcore motherfucker.
Jesus, the virtue signalling!

Tiberiusmoon

↪baker

You realise this is not helpful at all?

You cherrypicked one question which was intended to ask the reader.
"Be a hardcore motherfucker." is an appeal to an Amercian cultural bias given the phraze.
"Jesus, the virtue signalling" makes no sense in this context at all, if it were your vitue signalling then it would make sense as it is your words, the word "hardcore motherfucker" never existed when Jesus lived heck its not even the same language.

If you are using the name of Jesus Christ to validate your views through a false appeal to authority fallacy then you have not respect for the dead or christianity.

Unless this is satire in which case you should use /s

TheMadFool

I feel we need to be very clear, from the get go, what we're putting up for discussion. As far as I can tell there are two important issues that we need to be very careful about, they are:

1. Culture: To my knowledge the set of beliefs and attitiudes, practices based on them that distinugish various groups of people from one another

2. Cultural bias: To believe that one's culture - beliefs, attitudes, practices - is the culture as in my culture is not only the best but also right/correct in the sense that it makes the most sense given how reality is.

To me, there's nothing wrong with culture per se unless some aspects of it are morally suspect in the eyes of, or are cringe-worthy to, a well-educated, well-informed, and sensible person (e.g. a philosopher worth faer salt).

Cultural bias, however, is a different story. I believe it's one of the shortest routes to bedlam and mayhem due to its power to ignite and fuel hatred. However, before we go on to condemn cultural bias, we need to answer the question, "are some cultures really better?" or tackle the query, "is there a culture that's truly the best?" If the reply to these questions is "yes", cultural bias is an illusion, it has no meaning for it isn't a bias at all; it's a truth other "lesser" cultures would do well to accept and make haste to adopt the "best" culture out there as their own. Speaking for myself, a culture that lays strong emphasis on education, learning, science, equality, to name a few, is going to spread like wildfire for the simple reason that the values innate in these are close to people's hearts.

Jack Cummins

↪Tiberiusmoon

I think that your post is interesting and the idea of cultural bias. The only query which I have is how do we separate cultural and individual bias?The extent to which we internalise the ideas and values which we are socialised to believe in will vary. Some people will not evaluate these ideas consciousness and others will question a lot. Also, we have such unique experiences within cultures.

I think able to see that certain attitudes which I have ranging from views against racism and sexism occurred in the context of family and education. I was particularly aware of how my own family values came into play when I was thinking about my ideas on a whole range of ideas ranging from capital punishment, nuclear warfare and euthanasia during adolescence.

However, I think that while it is useful to be aware of the bias, we have to question where do we go from there? I am in favour of looking at social issues and philosophy ideas from many angles as possible, and being aware of seeing bias, but I am not sure that it is possible to be value free or without any bias. But, I definitely believe that it is helpful to be aware of cultural bias, and to aim towards going beyond thinking from narrow, restricted frameworks.

Tiberiusmoon

↪TheMadFool

1. Culture in a broader sense is every experience/tradition of a social group.
Not just to specify what is commonly known as culture within a identified social group.
Say the culture within a group of friends, or a culture with an army unit.

2. A bit of a misconception, a bias is more to sway judgement rather than to ultimately favor something, for example: you cant use emotional bias to state your feelings are strong but are also right/correct.

Tiberiusmoon

↪Jack Cummins

"The only query which I have is how do we separate cultural and individual bias?"

You dont. :)
One of the fundamentals of cultural bias is individual bias as mentioned here: https://develop.consumerium.org/wiki/Individual_bias

I chose to use the word cultural bias in order to keep things easier to understand in context between paragraphs. :D

The social issues that I noticed we have is that humanity is not prepared to live with other social groups because of the lack of awareness to cultural bias where it is accepting to be socially biased.
You can reduce the issue for a specific social group through education or influence of the culture itself, an example of this can be seen in the UK as we live closer and interact between cultures on a regular basis it can reduce cultural bias but not eliminate it completely as you may not meet every culture.

Social bias is not a one way thing either, if say a white man was racist due to social bias towards a black man and that black man raised a child then that child grew up to accept social bias and that white people are racist then he would have the social bias that white people are racist without fact.
Which leads to denial on boths white and black ethinic's while being blind to the bias that causes it.

Tiberiusmoon

↪counterpunch

"Are you suggesting I deny historical fact to signal my multicultural virtue?"

Nope I am simply explaining how to be aware of cultural bias that can lead someone to be blindly biased, Ethically, knowing your needs and wants for the benefit of your wellbeing of life is what is most important.
If by culture you have knowledge which is fact then by all means its worth keeping because not all experiences are misleading, it is up to your critical thinking to believe if they are true or not. :)

"What is impossible for me to understand about your silly woke dogma is that, most basically - it assumes everyone has their own subjective perspective, and yet maintains it's illegitimate for white people to have a subjective perspective."

Could you point this out for me? I never mentioned such things or are you under the socially biased assumption that I was defending a race when no races were mentioned in my post?

"Why do you imagine identity politics will work out differently in reverse? Why do you not condemn woke-ism for the philosophically incoherent, hypocritical and racist dogma that it is?"

I dont have a political agenda? This is General philosophy not political philosophy.
You seem to be making assumptions causing a strawman fallacy while combining with ad hominem fallacy, please stop pulling words out of your ass! :D

unenlightened

Social bias is not a one way thing either, if say a white man was racist due to social bias towards a black man and that black man raised a child then that child grew up to accept social bias and that white people are racist then he would have the social bias that white people are racist without fact.
Which leads to denial on boths white and black ethinic's while being blind to the bias that causes it. — Tiberiusmoon

There is something odd about this. Suppose an alien looks at, say, the US; they see a single society. Then the bias of the white and the black are the same social bias. It is not a 2 way thing at all but the way that society as a whole is structured; that received opinion is that whites are racist automatically implies that non-whites are not, and to think one is to think the other. But the way you tell it, there are two societies in the US, that are biased against each other.

The separation is the bias.

Jack Cummins

↪Tiberiusmoon

I live in England too and have seen very mixed responses to the idea of all cultures living together, and I am speaking more widely about differences not just race. Sometimes the attempts to adopt approaches to bring people together and overcome cultural and other biases is that it can be shallow. I have seen people in organisations adopt adherence to equal opportunities at face value, but as soon as managers are not present, what they say becomes another matter.

I believe that no one can dictate how people should think, and it probably comes down to a person's whole outlook on life and what it means to be human. Personally, I believe that Bob Marley captured it so well when he spoke of the importance of skin colour being of no more significance than the colour of a person's eyes, but at this point, many don't see it that way.I think that apart from cultural biases affecting individuals they are deeply entrenched in power structures and institutions. However, I do think that discussion and awareness of cultural differences is probably the most important starting point because it may be that many people have not really been given the reflective space to consider the matter, outside of the immediate circle of their own cultural sphere.
.

Tiberiusmoon

↪unenlightened

Ah I mean to say that in terms of perspective from one social group to another.

Your understanding of this is very good. :)

Tiberiusmoon

↪Jack Cummins

Yeah, I get its mixed but its not as bad as say America.

I believe that no one can dictate how people should think — Jack Cummins

Eh kinda true as you can contract a persons way of thinking or expand it, its up to the individual's open or closed mindedness weather to accept how they think is enough.
Lacking the oppertunity to expand your way of thinking is counterproductive imo.

The education system lacks this huh. . .

counterpunch

please stop pulling words out of your ass! — Tiberiusmoon

At least that's an honest sentiment.

I am simply explaining how to be aware of cultural bias — Tiberiusmoon

That's not what you're doing at all. Maybe that's what you believe you're doing, but you're not. The idea of Cultural Bias occurs within a wider academic context of subjectivist philosophy, critical theory, post modernism, neo marxism and political correctness - all of which you invoke by addressing the concept of Cultural Bias. Together they constitute a concerted criticism of power relations within Western civilisation in particular. In short, the very concept of cultural bias is a culturally biased criticism of white people.

Could you point this out for me? I never mentioned such things or are you under the socially biased assumption that I was defending a race when no races were mentioned in my post? — Tiberiusmoon

When I say "you" - I mean 'you' collectively, as in - you pathetic bunch of woke twits. I don't know you personally. The only assumption I make about you personally is that you are unaware that the concept of Cultural Bias is part of a larger agenda.

Russell Group university accused of Soviet-style censorship
Camilla Turner 7 hrs ago

A Russell Group university has been accused of Soviet-style censorship after requiring new humanities courses to “move away” from a “white, Eurocentric” curriculum.

Academics at Exeter University’s department of Social Sciences and International Studies (SSIS) have been told that they should “integrate” these changes when updating existing modules or creating new ones.

One lecturer said he is “shocked” at the stipulation and claimed the faculty - which oversees a number of disciplines including law, politics, sociology, philosophy, and anthropology - is undermining academic freedom “in the most profound sense”.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/russell-group-university-accused-of-soviet-style-censorship/ar-BB1gL6aH?ocid=msedgntp

TheMadFool

1. Culture in a broader sense is every experience/tradition of a social group.
Not just to specify what is commonly known as culture within a identified social group.
Say the culture within a group of friends, or a culture with an army unit. — Tiberiusmoon

My definition was broad enough to include subcultures.

2. A bit of a misconception, a bias is more to sway judgement rather than to ultimately favor something, for example: you cant use emotional bias to state your feelings are strong but are also right/correct. — Tiberiusmoon

To the extent that I'm aware, "...to sway judgment..." and, by extension, to "...favor something..." we need a "good" reason and that, I feel, is to be found, illusory though it may be, in the belief (false/true) that a certain culture is correct/right in re our understanding of reality.

Tiberiusmoon

↪TheMadFool

To the extent that I'm aware, "...to sway judgment..." and, by extension, to "...favor something..." we need a "good" reason and that, I feel, is to be found, illusory though it may be, in the belief (false/true) that a certain culture is correct/right in re our understanding of reality. — TheMadFool

Ahh I see. :)

baker

↪Tiberiusmoon

Why should a person address their cultural biases??

Harry Hindu

What can I do to address my own cultural bias?
First of all identify what your culture is and how you were brought up.
Then seperate them into two groups of needs and not needed (wants) for your wellbeing/ survival.
Now question yourself as to why those things are put in those two groups from an unbiased perspective or reflection of self.
You may very well discover hidden biases that are some of your habits/judgements.

If you feel up to it you can share what you found, or if you think there is a flaw in this post let me know. — Tiberiusmoon

This is a fairly accurate description of how I became an atheist after being raised as a Christian in a mostly Christian community/country.

I think the first step in the process is the willingness to understand that you might be wrong and that to search for the truth wherever it leads, despite any emotional attachments you have to your beliefs and biases. The next step was to study the other cultures/religions to understand what they believe and why. I see logic as the path to truth and since none of the religions practiced logic, religion was placed in the "not needed" category.

The same goes for politics. I was once a Democrat and then a Republican. Now I'm an independent that has no need for political parties which I also have learned abandon the use of logic. I have now grouped both politics and religions into the "Group-think" category as something that I just don't need for my wel-being or survival.

The issue is that many people look at being part of a culture, religion or political party, which entails not questioning what the group says or does, as necessary for their well-being and survival. Some people need to be told how to live their lives or to tell others how to live theirs for their own well-being.

baker

Some people need to be told how to live their lives — Harry Hindu

I seriously doubt this is often the case. It seems to me that more often, it's about "If you can't beat them, join them".

Harry Hindu

↪baker

After reading this:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/02/28/first-time-ever-there-are-fewer-registered-republicans-than-independents/%3foutputType=amp

It seems that more Republicans are willing to abandon the group when they can't beat the theocrats, or at least steer the party away from those authoritarian tendencies that control the party, as opposed to Democrats. But then what would you expect from a mostly collectivist mentality? Collectivists inherently look to the group to make the decisions because making decisions is hard and then there's the personal responsibility that goes along with it that can be scary enough to prevent any decision on personal level being made. And because they inherently believe that popularity and numbers equates to truth, they are emotionally attached to the idea that others should think the same way, or else their emotional state is at risk.

Tiberiusmoon

↪baker

↪Tiberiusmoon
Why should a person address their cultural biases?? — baker

Hmm, where to start.

Firstly, it can give them more understanding about themselves and the culture they grew up with by explaining why it can influence their decisions and those who share their culture.
It can strengthen their self confidence, the bonds of others who share their culture like family and friends by understanding how it is different and removing some uncertainties a person may have about their own identity.
If left unaware it can leave an individual open to manipulation by simply using their culture as a means to gain something, say if a politican said they are from that person's town or praising their town with a minor understanding of the town's culture with no real understanding of what policies the politican wishes to use or how it would affect the individual.
As humanity is mixing and exploring cultures, this awareness of cultural bias can give them insight as to why another culture would think their culture is weird, or by understanding another culture give a person insight as to why they think its wierd.
Critically this lessens the unknown factor about other cultures that may cause xenophobic attitudes or actions, especially if influenced by media or other sources in a negative light.

Thinking about it, you could explain it in this analogy:
What is the difference between being angry and being aware that your angry?
Then consider which can blindly cause harm or poor choices.

baker

Firstly, it can give them more understanding about themselves and the culture they grew up with by explaining why it can influence their decisions and those who share their culture. — Tiberiusmoon

Why should such understanding be relevant?
If anything, internalizing and mastering a cultural bias is advantageous for a person, as it helps them to function better in their culture.

It can strengthen their self confidence, the bonds of others who share their culture like family and friends by understanding how it is different and removing some uncertainties a person may have about their own identity.

How would it do any of that?
How does being aware of one's own cultural biases strengthen one's self confidence?? If anything, such awareness would undermine it.

If left unaware it can leave an individual open to manipulation by simply using their culture as a means to gain something, say if a politican said they are from that person's town or praising their town with a minor understanding of the town's culture with no real understanding of what policies the politican wishes to use or how it would affect the individual.

Okay, but this is a bit naive.

As humanity is mixing and exploring cultures, this awareness of cultural bias can give them insight as to why another culture would think their culture is weird, or by understanding another culture give a person insight as to why they think its wierd.

It's not clear how being aware of one's cultural biase accomplishes the above. Rather, being aware of one's cultural biases would make one more confident to judge others as weird.

Critically this lessens the unknown factor about other cultures that may cause xenophobic attitudes or actions, especially if influenced by media or other sources in a negative light.

Cultures that weren't xenophobic enough have not survived.

Thinking about it, you could explain it in this analogy:
What is the difference between being angry and being aware that your angry?
Then consider which can blindly cause harm or poor choices.

It's not clear how the analogy applies.

Tiberiusmoon

Why should such understanding be relevant?
If anything, internalizing and mastering a cultural bias is advantageous for a person, as it helps them to function better in their culture. — baker

Because you can't master something you dont understand otherwise its arrogant.

How would it do any of that?
How does being aware of one's own cultural biases strengthen one's self confidence?? If anything, such awareness would undermine it. — baker

Because the opposite of self confidence is unsure of self, the lack of knowledge of self is being unsure of self.

Okay, but this is a bit naive. — baker

Maybe so, but if the culture is accepting of certain political parties it can fool someone into thinking they can do no wrong.

It's not clear how being aware of one's cultural biase accomplishes the above. Rather, being aware of one's cultural biases would make one more confident to judge others as weird. — baker

Because it can give you insight to their perspective, not just your own.
How your culture looks to them without the bias to assume its normal.

Cultures that weren't xenophobic enough have not survived. — baker

s/ Yes, the Nazis died because they were not xenophobic enough. . .

It's not clear how the analogy applies. — baker

It maybe a difference of experience in this case, have you ever been made aware of any of your own biases and thought about how that changed your perspective on the topic through reflection of self?

Humanities Dystopian Philosophy: Cultural bias

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