Although you probably have read them already, Philosopher Jason Brennan tackles a similar topic in his book "Against Democracy", identifying three types of people in their way to apprach reasoning: Hobbits, Hooligans and Vulcans. Similarly, Ilya Solin tackles this topic in "Democracy and Political ignorance", not to mention Bryan Caplan's "The myth of the rational voter".
I think this identifies the right gap. The missing layer is not merely more information, but intellectual discipline.
I would only add that academia is not free from the same problem. Education and intelligence do not automatically defeat bias; often they simply give bias a more sophisticated vocabulary.
Political theory matters because it gives us a framework deeper than the news cycle. But the deeper virtue is learning to interrogate our own premises: What am I assuming? What am I emotionally invested in? Would I still believe this if my side were not benefiting from it?
That is the difference between being informed and being intellectually free.
To estrange ourselves from the ability to change our mind is to estrange ourselves from our natural liberty and true freedom.
That of our customs and predispositions are certainly contributions to that estrangement, and the reflection thereon is highly important to true individual liberty.
I think the main reason why nobody explains it correctly is that everybody has their own biases and worldview.
Even a foundational thinker like Plato had his own biases. Some even argue Plato himself wanted to be the 'philosopher king' because he was the only one fitting the description of who should be it. In political theory, we say 'study Plato to understand Aristotle, study Aristotle to understand Machiavelli, and so on' because there is no perfect theory. Everybody has their own version of right and wrong, and this is how it should be.
Even I myself believe what you said here; in fact, I wrote an article on this exact topic. If possible, I would love to work with you on this.
Although you probably have read them already, Philosopher Jason Brennan tackles a similar topic in his book "Against Democracy", identifying three types of people in their way to apprach reasoning: Hobbits, Hooligans and Vulcans. Similarly, Ilya Solin tackles this topic in "Democracy and Political ignorance", not to mention Bryan Caplan's "The myth of the rational voter".
Haha, I actually did a video on Jason Brennan’s opinion on my Instagram account just two weeks ago!
also, philosopher Michael Huemer has a cool ted talk on the very same topic, too. Although, again, you probably have already watched it. https://youtu.be/4JYL5VUe5NQ?si=Du_x4QnDz9cx6qs3
I'll check it out.
I think this identifies the right gap. The missing layer is not merely more information, but intellectual discipline.
I would only add that academia is not free from the same problem. Education and intelligence do not automatically defeat bias; often they simply give bias a more sophisticated vocabulary.
Political theory matters because it gives us a framework deeper than the news cycle. But the deeper virtue is learning to interrogate our own premises: What am I assuming? What am I emotionally invested in? Would I still believe this if my side were not benefiting from it?
That is the difference between being informed and being intellectually free.
To estrange ourselves from the ability to change our mind is to estrange ourselves from our natural liberty and true freedom.
That of our customs and predispositions are certainly contributions to that estrangement, and the reflection thereon is highly important to true individual liberty.
This will be great Carolyn!! The news is moving so fast and coming from so many directions that it's confusing to sort out what is
really happening. I look forward to your content.
What is political theory? I posit that, for most, it's a way of rationalizing justification for systemic violence.
Politics is government/law, which is systematic violence. Violence is wrong. Therefore government is wrong. Don't do wrong.
If this ^ is not the basis of your political theory, you are likely either ignorant or evil or both.
I think the main reason why nobody explains it correctly is that everybody has their own biases and worldview.
Even a foundational thinker like Plato had his own biases. Some even argue Plato himself wanted to be the 'philosopher king' because he was the only one fitting the description of who should be it. In political theory, we say 'study Plato to understand Aristotle, study Aristotle to understand Machiavelli, and so on' because there is no perfect theory. Everybody has their own version of right and wrong, and this is how it should be.
Even I myself believe what you said here; in fact, I wrote an article on this exact topic. If possible, I would love to work with you on this.
https://shantext.substack.com/p/a-rebellion-against-intellectual?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=32gk3g
Maybe you can read about my Political Manifold Framework and see how it holds up?
Very nice. I think we share a common goal.