Rediscovering Objectivity: From Groupthink to Civil Dialogue
This essay proposes that many secular academics have lost much of their sense of objectivity and this is making civil intellectual discussion difficult. In order to have a civil dialogue, there must be a level of objective agreement that certain truths are indeed facts. This is apparent regarding de...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Institute for Interdisciplinary Research
[2019]
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| In: |
Journal of interdisciplinary studies
Year: 2019, Volume: 31, Issue: 1/2, Pages: 55-72 |
| IxTheo Classification: | AB Philosophy of religion; criticism of religion; atheism VA Philosophy ZB Sociology |
| Further subjects: | B
Group Identity
B Objectivity B Communism B United States History B Abortion B Secularism |
| Summary: | This essay proposes that many secular academics have lost much of their sense of objectivity and this is making civil intellectual discussion difficult. In order to have a civil dialogue, there must be a level of objective agreement that certain truths are indeed facts. This is apparent regarding debates about communism, abortion, U.S. history, and other topics. It is very difficult to have a sensible conversation with someone who will not acknowledge certain objective facts. Within the context of a self-imposed mental framework, the facts become secondary to the subjective perspective that a member of a politically-defined identity group is supposed to have. Focusing primarily on established facts unites people, whereas accentuating differences in perceptions divides people. Suggestions to resolve this problem include requiring students to interview those who disagree with them as well as more character education in the schools. Universities should endorse the 2015 Chicago Statement that students should be taught to effectively debate from all sides of an issue. Objectivity is a natural prerequisite if the United States is to become united once again. |
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| ISSN: | 2766-0508 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of interdisciplinary studies
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