Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
Liberals or Conservatives: Who’s Really Close-Minded?
But University of Virginia Professor Jonathan Haidt’s new book The Righteous Mind doesn’t simply suggest that conservatives may not be as close-minded as they are portrayed. It proves that the opposite is the case, that conservatives understand their ideological opposite numbers far better than do liberals.
Haidt’s research asks individuals to answer questionnaires regarding their core moral beliefs—what sorts of values they consider sacred, which they would compromise on, and how much it would take to get them to make those compromises. By themselves, these exercises are interesting. (Try them online and see where you come out.)
But Haidt’s research went one step further, asking self-indentified conservatives to answer those questionnaires as if they were liberals and for liberals to do the opposite. What Haidt found is that conservatives understand liberals’ moral values better than liberals understand where conservatives are coming from. Worse yet, liberals don’t know what they don’t know; they don’t understand how limited their knowledge of conservative values is. If anyone is close-minded here it’s not conservatives.
Haidt has a theory regarding why this is the case, based on the idea that conservatives speak a broader and more encompassing language of six moral values while liberals embrace three of the six in a narrow set of core values. I see nothing wrong with this explanation.
But let me present a complementary, more practical explanation: If you’re a conservative who lives in a major metropolitan area or who simply reads the New York Times, you get used to being outnumbered by liberals. Liberals, by contrast, get used to being surrounded by other liberals, both in person and in culture and the media. As a result, liberals speak their minds freely, often in ways that are harshly condemnatory of conservatives and their stands on issues. As a conservative, you can defend your values against friends and acquaintances who essentially just called you stupid and evil or you can keep quiet.
Most conservatives, most of the time, choose the latter. That is, they stay in the closet to avoid being accused of hating the poor, gays, or polar bears. As a result, liberals aren’t gaining any commensurate information. In fact, the silence of their conservative friends helps reinforce their views. Much of the time, liberals’ views of conservative positions and values are simply a caricature that bear little resemblance to what conservatives actually think and, more importantly, why they think it.
But during that time when conservatives’ mouths are shut, their ears are open. They’re listening and understanding what liberals think—and what liberals think of them. Conservatives understand their own world—whether it’s of religious organizations, talk radio, Fox News, or whatever—along with the New York Times, network news world of liberals.
That helps explain why a conservative’s reaction to a liberal critique often isn’t “you’re wrong.” It’s “you don’t even know what I’m trying to say.” Haidt’s research seems to show that this reaction is warranted.
Liberals or Conservatives: Who’s Really Close-Minded?
But University of Virginia Professor Jonathan Haidt’s new book The Righteous Mind doesn’t simply suggest that conservatives may not be as close-minded as they are portrayed. It proves that the opposite is the case, that conservatives understand their ideological opposite numbers far better than do liberals.
Haidt’s research asks individuals to answer questionnaires regarding their core moral beliefs—what sorts of values they consider sacred, which they would compromise on, and how much it would take to get them to make those compromises. By themselves, these exercises are interesting. (Try them online and see where you come out.)
But Haidt’s research went one step further, asking self-indentified conservatives to answer those questionnaires as if they were liberals and for liberals to do the opposite. What Haidt found is that conservatives understand liberals’ moral values better than liberals understand where conservatives are coming from. Worse yet, liberals don’t know what they don’t know; they don’t understand how limited their knowledge of conservative values is. If anyone is close-minded here it’s not conservatives.
Haidt has a theory regarding why this is the case, based on the idea that conservatives speak a broader and more encompassing language of six moral values while liberals embrace three of the six in a narrow set of core values. I see nothing wrong with this explanation.
But let me present a complementary, more practical explanation: If you’re a conservative who lives in a major metropolitan area or who simply reads the New York Times, you get used to being outnumbered by liberals. Liberals, by contrast, get used to being surrounded by other liberals, both in person and in culture and the media. As a result, liberals speak their minds freely, often in ways that are harshly condemnatory of conservatives and their stands on issues. As a conservative, you can defend your values against friends and acquaintances who essentially just called you stupid and evil or you can keep quiet.
Most conservatives, most of the time, choose the latter. That is, they stay in the closet to avoid being accused of hating the poor, gays, or polar bears. As a result, liberals aren’t gaining any commensurate information. In fact, the silence of their conservative friends helps reinforce their views. Much of the time, liberals’ views of conservative positions and values are simply a caricature that bear little resemblance to what conservatives actually think and, more importantly, why they think it.
But during that time when conservatives’ mouths are shut, their ears are open. They’re listening and understanding what liberals think—and what liberals think of them. Conservatives understand their own world—whether it’s of religious organizations, talk radio, Fox News, or whatever—along with the New York Times, network news world of liberals.
That helps explain why a conservative’s reaction to a liberal critique often isn’t “you’re wrong.” It’s “you don’t even know what I’m trying to say.” Haidt’s research seems to show that this reaction is warranted.
Liberals or Conservatives: Who’s Really Close-Minded?
But University of Virginia Professor Jonathan Haidt’s new book The Righteous Mind doesn’t simply suggest that conservatives may not be as close-minded as they are portrayed. It proves that the opposite is the case, that conservatives understand their ideological opposite numbers far better than do liberals.
Haidt’s research asks individuals to answer questionnaires regarding their core moral beliefs—what sorts of values they consider sacred, which they would compromise on, and how much it would take to get them to make those compromises. By themselves, these exercises are interesting. (Try them online and see where you come out.)
But Haidt’s research went one step further, asking self-indentified conservatives to answer those questionnaires as if they were liberals and for liberals to do the opposite. What Haidt found is that conservatives understand liberals’ moral values better than liberals understand where conservatives are coming from. Worse yet, liberals don’t know what they don’t know; they don’t understand how limited their knowledge of conservative values is. If anyone is close-minded here it’s not conservatives.
Haidt has a theory regarding why this is the case, based on the idea that conservatives speak a broader and more encompassing language of six moral values while liberals embrace three of the six in a narrow set of core values. I see nothing wrong with this explanation.
But let me present a complementary, more practical explanation: If you’re a conservative who lives in a major metropolitan area or who simply reads the New York Times, you get used to being outnumbered by liberals. Liberals, by contrast, get used to being surrounded by other liberals, both in person and in culture and the media. As a result, liberals speak their minds freely, often in ways that are harshly condemnatory of conservatives and their stands on issues. As a conservative, you can defend your values against friends and acquaintances who essentially just called you stupid and evil or you can keep quiet.
Most conservatives, most of the time, choose the latter. That is, they stay in the closet to avoid being accused of hating the poor, gays, or polar bears. As a result, liberals aren’t gaining any commensurate information. In fact, the silence of their conservative friends helps reinforce their views. Much of the time, liberals’ views of conservative positions and values are simply a caricature that bear little resemblance to what conservatives actually think and, more importantly, why they think it.
But during that time when conservatives’ mouths are shut, their ears are open. They’re listening and understanding what liberals think—and what liberals think of them. Conservatives understand their own world—whether it’s of religious organizations, talk radio, Fox News, or whatever—along with the New York Times, network news world of liberals.
That helps explain why a conservative’s reaction to a liberal critique often isn’t “you’re wrong.” It’s “you don’t even know what I’m trying to say.” Haidt’s research seems to show that this reaction is warranted.
I once had a liberal friend of mind get in my face and start screaming at me about GWB. I had never even mentioned politics to the friend nor had I made a comment about anything the friend just went off. So I just stood their and took it because it was not in a very proper place for such an loud lecture. Liberals, always so sure but always so wrong.
Liberals or Conservatives: Who’s Really Close-Minded?
But University of Virginia Professor Jonathan Haidt’s new book The Righteous Mind doesn’t simply suggest that conservatives may not be as close-minded as they are portrayed. It proves that the opposite is the case, that conservatives understand their ideological opposite numbers far better than do liberals.
Haidt’s research asks individuals to answer questionnaires regarding their core moral beliefs—what sorts of values they consider sacred, which they would compromise on, and how much it would take to get them to make those compromises. By themselves, these exercises are interesting. (Try them online and see where you come out.)
But Haidt’s research went one step further, asking self-indentified conservatives to answer those questionnaires as if they were liberals and for liberals to do the opposite. What Haidt found is that conservatives understand liberals’ moral values better than liberals understand where conservatives are coming from. Worse yet, liberals don’t know what they don’t know; they don’t understand how limited their knowledge of conservative values is. If anyone is close-minded here it’s not conservatives.
Haidt has a theory regarding why this is the case, based on the idea that conservatives speak a broader and more encompassing language of six moral values while liberals embrace three of the six in a narrow set of core values. I see nothing wrong with this explanation.
But let me present a complementary, more practical explanation: If you’re a conservative who lives in a major metropolitan area or who simply reads the New York Times, you get used to being outnumbered by liberals. Liberals, by contrast, get used to being surrounded by other liberals, both in person and in culture and the media. As a result, liberals speak their minds freely, often in ways that are harshly condemnatory of conservatives and their stands on issues. As a conservative, you can defend your values against friends and acquaintances who essentially just called you stupid and evil or you can keep quiet.
Most conservatives, most of the time, choose the latter. That is, they stay in the closet to avoid being accused of hating the poor, gays, or polar bears. As a result, liberals aren’t gaining any commensurate information. In fact, the silence of their conservative friends helps reinforce their views. Much of the time, liberals’ views of conservative positions and values are simply a caricature that bear little resemblance to what conservatives actually think and, more importantly, why they think it.
But during that time when conservatives’ mouths are shut, their ears are open. They’re listening and understanding what liberals think—and what liberals think of them. Conservatives understand their own world—whether it’s of religious organizations, talk radio, Fox News, or whatever—along with the New York Times, network news world of liberals.
That helps explain why a conservative’s reaction to a liberal critique often isn’t “you’re wrong.” It’s “you don’t even know what I’m trying to say.” Haidt’s research seems to show that this reaction is warranted.
I once had a liberal friend of mind get in my face and start screaming at me about GWB. I had never even mentioned politics to the friend nor had I made a comment about anything the friend just went off. So I just stood their and took it because it was not in a very proper place for such an loud lecture. Liberals, always so sure but always so wrong.
A thread on crazed interactions with Liberals, would be good.
I have had many run-ins with crazed liberals....here are just two...
I once was in the back seat of a car with a nutty lib co-worker, in the 1980s, heading to lunch. He was an attorney spouting off about the wonders of unions. When I disputed his arguments, he went bat shit crazy. I thought he was going to hit me, but I continued my arguments in a civil tone, while he completely lost his cool. It was great fun and I learned to stay claim, while they lose it....too funny.
Walking to lunch with my new boss, whom I had just met for the first time earlier that day, he brings up how awful W is. Now this was just after W was elected and before 9/11. I refused to confirm or deny his comments knowing full well never discuss politics with a kooky lib boss, he continued to rant until he was nearly frothing at the mouth.
As stated, "I Challenge Right Wingers to Watch Daily Show and Colbert Report."
If you are smart enough to debate politics, you can surely take a joke or two over politics.
I would also challenge the Left to take in the Mike Huckabee show, but clearly today, "THE LEFT KNOWS MUCH MORE ABOUT THE RIGHT WING THAN THE RIGHT KNOWS ABOUT THE LEFT"<-----fact
Stewart and Colbert are left wing propagandists comedians. They are funny though...I guess having a huge staff of writers to write funny jokes, works.
I dispute your claim that the Left knows much more about the Right. Most leftists have NEVER heard a right wing position or debated it. Most only know Leftism. For example, in another thread a Leftist asks what other economic system is there other than Keynesian. Conversely, we on the Right have had to endure a constant barrage of Leftism, from birth to death.
I believe that polling proves me correct. I can't find it now, but there was a poll done of Right and Left..asking each what the other thought about issues. The Right got it right about the Left. The Left almost never got it right about the right.
As stated, "I Challenge Right Wingers to Watch Daily Show and Colbert Report."
If you are smart enough to debate politics, you can surely take a joke or two over politics.
I would also challenge the Left to take in the Mike Huckabee show, but clearly today, "THE LEFT KNOWS MUCH MORE ABOUT THE RIGHT WING THAN THE RIGHT KNOWS ABOUT THE LEFT"<-----fact
Stewart and Colbert are left wing propagandists comedians. They are funny though...I guess having a huge staff of writers to write funny jokes, works.
I dispute your claim that the Left knows much more about the Right. Most leftists have NEVER heard a right wing position or debated it. Most only know Leftism. For example, in another thread a Leftist asks what other economic system is there other than Keynesian. Conversely, we on the Right have had to endure a constant barrage of Leftism, from birth to death.
I believe that polling proves me correct. I can't find it now, but there was a poll done of Right and Left..asking each what the other thought about issues. The Right got it right about the Left. The Left almost never got it right about the right.
a great many of the lefties spend enormous amounts of time
listening to rush-hannity - and beck
i dont know why
but they do
--LOL
As stated, "I Challenge Right Wingers to Watch Daily Show and Colbert Report."
If you are smart enough to debate politics, you can surely take a joke or two over politics.
I would also challenge the Left to take in the Mike Huckabee show, but clearly today, "THE LEFT KNOWS MUCH MORE ABOUT THE RIGHT WING THAN THE RIGHT KNOWS ABOUT THE LEFT"<-----fact
Stewart and Colbert are left wing propagandists comedians. They are funny though...I guess having a huge staff of writers to write funny jokes, works.
I dispute your claim that the Left knows much more about the Right. Most leftists have NEVER heard a right wing position or debated it. Most only know Leftism. For example, in another thread a Leftist asks what other economic system is there other than Keynesian. Conversely, we on the Right have had to endure a constant barrage of Leftism, from birth to death.
I believe that polling proves me correct. I can't find it now, but there was a poll done of Right and Left..asking each what the other thought about issues. The Right got it right about the Left. The Left almost never got it right about the right.
a great many of the lefties spend enormous amounts of time
listening to rush-hannity - and beck
i dont know why
but they do
--LOL
At least they say they do.
But if they do I tell you why, it is entertaining. I don't listen to Beck any more he has become way too dark for me. But Rush is still funny and entertaining.
That talking point is getting old, don't you think?Why?? So that we can damage enough brain cells to become as ignorant as Liberals who use those shows for their "News"?
As stated, "I Challenge Right Wingers to Watch Daily Show and Colbert Report."
If you are smart enough to debate politics, you can surely take a joke or two over politics.
I would also challenge the Left to take in the Mike Huckabee show, but clearly today, "THE LEFT KNOWS MUCH MORE ABOUT THE RIGHT WING THAN THE RIGHT KNOWS ABOUT THE LEFT"<-----fact
As stated, "I Challenge Right Wingers to Watch Daily Show and Colbert Report."
If you are smart enough to debate politics, you can surely take a joke or two over politics.
I would also challenge the Left to take in the Mike Huckabee show, but clearly today, "THE LEFT KNOWS MUCH MORE ABOUT THE RIGHT WING THAN THE RIGHT KNOWS ABOUT THE LEFT"<-----fact
Most "rightwingers" don't debate political issues that stem from comedy shows. You do know that the shows you referenced are comedic using humor and satire and are not to be taken seriously?
As stated, "I Challenge Right Wingers to Watch Daily Show and Colbert Report."
If you are smart enough to debate politics, you can surely take a joke or two over politics.
I would also challenge the Left to take in the Mike Huckabee show, but clearly today, "THE LEFT KNOWS MUCH MORE ABOUT THE RIGHT WING THAN THE RIGHT KNOWS ABOUT THE LEFT"<-----fact
Stewart and Colbert are left wing propagandists comedians. They are funny though...I guess having a huge staff of writers to write funny jokes, works.
I dispute your claim that the Left knows much more about the Right. Most leftists have NEVER heard a right wing position or debated it. Most only know Leftism. For example, in another thread a Leftist asks what other economic system is there other than Keynesian. Conversely, we on the Right have had to endure a constant barrage of Leftism, from birth to death.
I believe that polling proves me correct. I can't find it now, but there was a poll done of Right and Left..asking each what the other thought about issues. The Right got it right about the Left. The Left almost never got it right about the right.
a great many of the lefties spend enormous amounts of time
listening to rush-hannity - and beck
i dont know why
but they do
--LOL
Is he? What does this have to do with the topic? Why do all of the smallest brains in Political discussions jump to 12 year old style bash positions that have the equal value of "You are stupid!"............is Jon "stewart" a self hating liberal Jew?
Yes because you think that your blind and dumb adherence to left wing dogma is somehow justified because you think you can identify others on the right who are as dogmatic as you.Important matters? If those on the right paid attention to important matters it isn't obvious by the number of insipid threads and posts produced by them.
Want examples? Look up posts by Stephanie, CrusaderCrank, Rabbi, bripqt or LGS.
It proves that Palin was an idiot. You do realize that Russia is NOWHERE NEAR ALASKA right?and this supposedly proves..what?
That couric was trying to bait her and she didn't go for it?
Whatever, scooter...you need to believe "your" party and politicians are superior...believe whatever you like...keep watching television, too...it makes you think you're smart and forward thinking and progressive..and you need that, too....LMAO...
It proves that Palin was an idiot. You do realize that Russia is NOWHERE NEAR ALASKA right?and this supposedly proves..what?
That couric was trying to bait her and she didn't go for it?
Whatever, scooter...you need to believe "your" party and politicians are superior...believe whatever you like...keep watching television, too...it makes you think you're smart and forward thinking and progressive..and you need that, too....LMAO...
It proves that Palin was an idiot. You do realize that Russia is NOWHERE NEAR ALASKA right?and this supposedly proves..what?
That couric was trying to bait her and she didn't go for it?
Whatever, scooter...you need to believe "your" party and politicians are superior...believe whatever you like...keep watching television, too...it makes you think you're smart and forward thinking and progressive..and you need that, too....LMAO...
