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PaperclipPerfector  4mo ago (text post)   23778 thread views

Culture War Roundup for the week of June 17, 2024

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Reaching verboten conclusions through 'rational means' on topics long decided by the 'ruling class' doesn't protect you from the consequences.

This is... true in a black-pilled way, but the way you've stated it sounds like you're defending the ruling class's morals as correct. The whole point is that the rationalists are starting from reasonable moral principles and following logical reasoning using the available evidence and reaching different conclusions than the ruling class. The ruling class's morals either don't incorporate the available evidence (i.e. are unscientific), don't follow from logical reasoning (i.e. are inconsistent), or start from different principles. All of these apply to various extents. I think the most parsimonious explanation is that the ruling class uses morals as tools, and chooses the set of morals that get them what they want. It's reasonable to criticize the ruling class on these grounds, and to think it unjust that people are punished for advocating for a less selfish set of morals.

The ruling class's morals either don't incorporate the available evidence (i.e. are unscientific), don't follow from logical reasoning (i.e. are inconsistent), or start from different principles.

So what? They're still the ruling class despite this, which means they get to make the rules, not the rationalists. Having "reasonable moral principles and following logical reasoning using the available evidence" on your side matters little compared to having power on your side.

I think the most parsimonious explanation is that the ruling class uses morals as tools, and chooses the set of morals that get them what they want.

Yes, and so what? The lords are the lords — and the peasants are the peasants — all the same.

It's reasonable to criticize the ruling class on these grounds

Sure, but don't expect to escape the consequences of criticizing those who rule you, valid criticism or not. In the real world, the kid pointing out the emperor is naked doesn't get the crowd all agreeing with him, he gets executed (probably along with his parents) for lèse-majesté and treason, and everyone else doubles down on praising the beauty and refinement of His Majesty's raiment.

and to think it unjust that people are punished for advocating for a less selfish set of morals.

You can think it unjust all you want, but it's what the powerful think is "just" that matters.

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