UnReason (part 2) – Stereotypes, Bias and Conspiracy Theories

Join Plato's Cave philosophers and UU Inquiring Minds this Sunday morning, May 26, 2019 at 9:00.

This Sunday:
A Discussion with StoicDan on: “Unreason (part 2) – Stereotypes, Bias and Conspiracy Theories”

Tony Horowitz (Pulitzer Prize-winning author) was interviewed on the NPR, 1A Program 5-20-2019. At end of talk, the host asks him of conspiracy theories. He replies, in part:
"When I wrote 'Confederates in the Attic' (a book), a lot of young blacks were wearing t-shirts with Malcolm X insignias, and white teenagers started wearing t-shirts with a rebel flag with the words "you wear your X and I'll wear mine". It's sort of, you have your history and heroes, and I have mine... and now it's you have your truth and I have mine. A kind of an Apartheid of the Mind." This is an example of mixing race and conspiracy theories.

On Sunday, we'll discuss how concepts like conspiracy theories are fueled by emotions and other human weaknesses. We'll also cover the necessary philosophical dispositions that enhance critical thinking (i.e. attentiveness, self-esteem, trust in reason).

Join the Plato's Cave / IM discussion – be educated; be wise.

Coffee? Yes.

Reading suggestions (from StoicDan):

Tony Horowitz interview (The 1A Program 5-20-2019, excerpt above, a conspiracy theory fueled by race)
https://the1a.org/audio/#/shows/2019-05-20/tony-horwitz-on-drinking-across-the-political-aisle/117737/@25:00

Bonnie and Clyde (crime spree 1931-1934, glamorized by the media, misinformation fueled by mystique)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonnie_and_Clyde
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Highwaymen_(film)

JFK Assassination (Nov. 22, 1963, a national tragedy and a conspiracy theory fueled by politics)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_John_F._Kennedy

Tanks on Trains (YouTube videos imply war is coming after seeing tanks transported on trains, conspiracy theory fueled by fear)
https://www.metabunk.org/military-trains.t6744/

SlenderMan (a work of fiction caused a panic of nation's youth in 2014, lies fueled by fear)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slender_Man

Flat Earth (a belief that dates back to 8th Centry BC, conspiracy theory fueled by curiosity)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth#History
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO-ndBqZORk

The dispositions needed for critical thinking (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, section 8.1)
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/critical-thinking/#InitDisp

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Steve,
Plato's Cave Organizer

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Special Interest:

StoicDan Meetups:
Organizer of Philosophy Meetups
Lecturer on Stoicism & Transcendentalism
407-327-7000
Emerson & Thoreau Discussion Group
First Thursday each month, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Panera Bread, 11472 University Blvd, Orlando, FL 32817
More information: https://www.meetup.com/Emerson-Thoreau/