FirmhandKY
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quote:
ORIGINAL: NorthernGent
Interesting, but could you expand on the connection between idealism/realism and left/right?
I think the "left/right" divide is a chimera for the most part. I think it's more about a basic difference in how people process what they observe, through their emotional/logical framework of how they understand the world.
For example, many talk of "Christians" as if they are all right wingers, but fail to take into account of some very liberal Christian denominations. Just as some think that all atheists are automatically lefties, when in reality, you have some very conservative people who aren't religious.
One of the things that I look for, when I talk with people, or read their words, is some basic indications of their framework. I mentioned one quick test: looking for "I feel" versus "I think". More detailed:
Idealist (Dionysian) : Normative and socially oriented. Emotionally based.
"You know, people should ... "
"Why can't everyone ..."
"Everyone's opinion has equal value ... "
"Why can't we just all ... "
Idealist are often relativist and get caught up in the "fact-value" fallacy, the error of attempting to reduce normative judgments to statements of empirical fact.
Realist (Apollonian): Empirical and pragmatic. Fact based.
"Because that's how things are ... "
"Prove it! ..."
"No one will ever ... "
"Everyone is .... "
"You think you can change that ... ? "
Realist are often absolutists and skeptics. They often fall into the trap of confusing authority for truth. They tend to be less flexible and accepting of new ideas.
An Idealist, taking his ideas to an extreme loses touch with reality and becomes a Utopian. A Realist, taking his ideas to the extreme becomes a Cynic. Neither is particularly healthy or productive for society in general. But I think it takes a Utopian dreamer to see possibilities, and a hardnosed Cynic to make them happen.
Trying to pigeon-hole "Realist" as "right wing" or "Idealist" as "lefties" isn't always possible, either. Generally, you can place them in those small, straight-jacketed categories, but not always. But you can have someone whose esposed beliefs seem to be "conservative", who, in reality, is a dreamer, and a "liberal" who actually is very reactionary.
Personally, for example, I have a core of Idealism that I've learned over time to control with a strong dose of Realism. My guiding belief system is Dionysian, but I've been hit in the head enough times to understand that just because "I believe" something, that if the facts on the ground don't support it, then I need to adjust to them. So much so, in fact, that I'm generally perceived as an Apollonian or even a Cynic.
It's one of the reasons that I claim to actually be a classical liberal, although with a slight difference in the belief of man's inherent spirituality - (religion friendly).
Operationally, one of the best ways to determine how someone actually processes the world is to ask them the question:
Do you believe that man is inherently "good", and that it is social and political forces that cause him to be "bad", or do you believe that man is inherently "bad" and that social and political forces are required for him to be "good".
If you believe people to be inherently "good", then, regardless of your stated beliefs, you'll almost always end up on the "liberal" side of the political equation. Likewise, if you believe people are inherently "bad", you'll likely end up on the "conservative" side of the house, when it comes to the political and social programs, and controls that you espouse.
FirmKY
< Message edited by FirmhandKY -- 3/23/2007 7:45:12 AM >
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RE: The left and the right...... - 
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