Going beyond "Because people are different, that's why"

[JohnnyMarko 1]

[rant_start]
So I'm taking a Philosophy class this semester, 'Environmental Ethics'. I'm an Environmental Science major so I deal with the science side of things but this class is talking about the 'Why' of it all. So like endangered species. Obviously, myself and others feel the need to take care of certain species and what not and others simply don't care. My teacher didn't like my answer when I said 'Well people just have different opinions'. I've never really been concerned with the 'why' of things, I've just accepted that people will always have different opinions.

My point is, does everyone else feel that there is a need to go deeper than the initial point of 'People are different' and discuss they why of things? I feel like certain topics will be never ending debates (like the abortion thread just started). I guess people will always try and persuade one side or the other, but why? We're all different, that won't change. The world would be boring as shit if we all had the same beliefs.
[rant_ over]

[wmw999 2,589]

Over time, some opinions do change. Generally it's either based on evidence or religion, as far as I can tell (that's short for "I just invested 5 whole seconds of thought into the matter ").

We don't burn witches any more, nor is discrimination based on race or ethnic background legal -- those were hot topics in their time.

That said, there's absolutely nothing wrong with not wanting to get involved with the discussion, and just preferring to actually do something to further what you think is right -- that's a better way to deal with it in the long run.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[kelpdiver 2]

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My point is, does everyone else feel that there is a need to go deeper than the initial point of 'People are different' and discuss they why of things?

so many reasons

1- people often don't accept a live and let live attitude, want to foster their viewpoint on others.
2 - why these viewpoints are held is important. It can be out of ignorance. It can be out of an unmet requirement by that group that may be addressable. If you don't look into their viewpoint, no such solution can be found.
3 - if the difference comes from a different, yet rational frame of reference, then yes, you can conclude that "people are different" and accept it.

[turtlespeed 226]

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Over time, some opinions do change. Generally it's either based on evidence or religion, as far as I can tell (that's short for "I just invested 5 whole seconds of thought into the matter ").

We don't burn witches any more, nor is discrimination based on race or ethnic background legal -- those were hot topics in their time.

That said, there's absolutely nothing wrong with not wanting to get involved with the discussion, and just preferring to actually do something to further what you think is right -- that's a better way to deal with it in the long run.

Wendy P.

Either Science or Religion -

That is a pretty polarized view.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[wmw999 2,589]

Not with all the qualifiers it isn't. You can choose to take it that way, but it's for damn sure not what was intended.

Why do you think that people's opinions change over time?

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[turtlespeed 226]

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Not with all the qualifiers it isn't. You can choose to take it that way, but it's for damn sure not what was intended.

Why do you think that people's opinions change over time?

Wendy P.

What is that old adage?
If you are young and aren't a liberal, then you have no heart. If you are old and are not a republican, you don't like money.

So to answer your question - Money or Emotions.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[wmw999 2,589]

Since the vast majority of the people in the world don't have enough money for it to be a motivating factor, what drives the emotions? That's an internal motivator, and it generally reacts to something on the outside.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[turtlespeed 226]

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Since the vast majority of the people in the world don't have enough money for it to be a motivating factor, what drives the emotions? That's an internal motivator, and it generally reacts to something on the outside.

Wendy P.

The absence of, or the loss of money has the ability to change an opinion or two as well.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[Shotgun 1]

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I feel like certain topics will be never ending debates (like the abortion thread just started). I guess people will always try and persuade one side or the other, but why?

Because as a society, there are certain things (such as abortion) that we have to come to some sort of agreement on, at least for legal reasons. And most issues (like abortion) have no clear right or wrong answer, so the discussion needs to continue while society's and our individual ideas evolve.

I have changed my mind before (at least a little bit) based on someone else's persuasive argument. Which might not have happened if the other person had simply said, "Oh well; she has a different opinion," and left it that.

[JohnnyMarko 1]

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I feel like certain topics will be never ending debates (like the abortion thread just started). I guess people will always try and persuade one side or the other, but why?

Because as a society, there are certain things (such as abortion) that we have to come to some sort of agreement on, at least for legal reasons. And most issues (like abortion) have no clear right or wrong answer, so the discussion needs to continue while society's and our individual ideas evolve.

I have changed my mind before (at least a little bit) based on someone else's persuasive argument. Which might not have happened if the other person had simply said, "Oh well; she has a different opinion," and left it that.

I feel you on that. Which is why I started this thread because I'm so lost in my Philosophy class

[wmw999 2,589]

So money was the reason for the change in view on environmentalism and the rights of the Native Americans? (i.e. that it mattered -- in the 19th century it didn't)

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[turtlespeed 226]

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So money was the reason for the change in view on environmentalism and the rights of the Native Americans? (i.e. that it mattered -- in the 19th century it didn't)

Wendy P.

No - but emotions are easy to take advantage of.

Conservation and environmental protection are a multi billion dollar business now. It just hadn't been thought of when the settlers were kicking the indians off their land.

More of those "environmentaly Resposible Action Commitees" and the more peole with emotions that are drawn to them like moths to a flame.

Every one wants to feel good and while they either feel good about their bank account or the felling inside their morality account. It all boils down to the same thing.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[wolfriverjoe 1,523]

Different people have different viewpoints. The "neverending debates" allow the rational and openminded ones to hear why the others hold those viewpoints. I may or may not agree. I am, however, willing to listen and learn.
It may or may not change my stance on an issue. But it certainly makes me reexamine my own beliefs when I have to compare and contrast them to another's beliefs.

If I am unable to defend my own beliefs on an issue, then are they really valid?

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[DaVinci 0]

People like to discuss things.

I have changed my mind on a few issues based on logical dialog. But thats the key LOGIC, not emotion and not personal attacks.

But look at the Fact vs feeling thread. Many (Most?) do not bother to look at the data and just make a gut choice.

TK has done this in that he supports Assange releasing data, but thinks the Presidents BC should be private. I see no logic in that position.

[champu 1]

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So I'm taking a Philosophy class this semester... I've never really been concerned with the 'why' of things...

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It may or may not change my stance on an issue. But it certainly makes me reexamine my own beliefs when I have to compare and contrast them to another's beliefs.

People, in general, should focus on walking away from discussions [, arguments, knife fights] with a better understanding of why they think the things they do rather than whether they changed the other person's mind. This is why I've really come to dislike the idea of "common sense", it's what you attribute your belief to when you have no idea why you hold it.

[JohnnyMarko 1]

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So I'm taking a Philosophy class this semester... I've never really been concerned with the 'why' of things...

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Thank you for your puzzled look. But at 21, I think it's okay for me to just start wondering about these things