Diversity
Notes
Diversity in essence a very simple notion that is perhaps very difficult to implement which is that people are both different, and act differently depending on the Context.
This means that not only that we have a difference in circumstances, i.e people have different knowledge than us, but also that people process same information differently. Whether it is due to education, genes, or environment nature vs nurture, people grow up with different perspectives, ideas, skills, etc.
Similarly, we can also cultivate openness to diversity by trying to listen and understand other viewpoints, and continue to always expand our knowledge and gain new skills. However, this is easier said than done. Due to the Curse of Knowledge, it is very difficult for us to place ourselves in other's shoe, especially the more different they are from us. Without familiarity, there's no Empathy, and without empathy diversity would lead to an us vs them instead of Inclusion.
Diversity is also often references as an issue of representation, for example to make sure that a company include members of different sexes, ethnicities and so on, either as a way to solve previous injustice, to have a representation of that community within the company or as a proxy to ensure that we have different points of views.
When it comes to values and philosophy, similar to Simone de Beauvoir Ethics of Ambiguity, Monism has failed humanity so far. Thinking that a single value can hold the answer to all of our ethical questions is not only false but dangerous. People don't act this way, people constantly weigh different values against each other and make tough decisions Balance Extremes, and so it is on the societal level. That's why in Berlin's opinion we should believe in pluralism, the existence of multiple values simultaneously. However, he is not a complete relativist.
Rationalism won't bring us to the "one truth", since differences in values are beyond rationality, we can't rationalize our way past pluralism. Rationality is only a tool to bridge the divide, to find a solution on how to live together.
Visual
Overview
🔼Topic:: Political Philosophy (MOC) Origin:: Philosophize This! Origin:: Isaiah Berlin (philosopher) Link:: https://share.snipd.com/episode/e1f0a11f-af0d-4e09-9c42-1d75cd126d48