PJTV: Is Political Correctness a form of Pathological Altruism?
I have a PJTV show up:
You can watch the show here.
Could it be that some people do good just to hide their own evil? Dr. Helen sits with the Advice Goddess Amy Alkon and Barbara Oakley to talk about pathological altruism. Oakley is the author of Cold-Blooded Kindnessand Alkon is the author of I See Rude People.
You can watch the show here.
Labels: PJTV
posted by Helen at 9:24 AM
28 Comments:
Malevolent altruism is a wonderful term. So much of what is done to our liberty is justified with how it is in our best interest. Fun show.
Trey
Frankly, TMink, as a guy who has tried to garner points and sympathy here as doing "God's work" and all the rest of the crap that you spout, you should be real careful about judging others.
But maybe take that point of view and then focus it on your own behavior - and then you can understand why a quiet (majority?) on this board finds you silly.
Kind of like Elmer Gantry Heal Thyself or something?
Lydia, you appear to be oozing kindness.
[""God's work" and all the rest of the crap that you spout,..."] Maybe one of these days you can fill us in on this civility stuff that's all the current rage.
“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.” –C.S. Lewis
Lydia, everyone judges others. It would be incredibly foolish not to do so. In my belief Jesus taught not to judge whether others are worthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
That it is OK to judge others (in Christianity) in other ways is seen in that few Christian religions have any problem with someone sitting on a jury. Ironically, through your own judgmental attitude, you're telling someone else, in a most rude manner, not to be judgmental.
A psychologist can be a tremendous help or a person who practices malevolent altruism. I think the APA and many other mental health groups practice malevolent altruism. In reading Trey's comments over several years, I don't count him amongst that group. Speak for yourself and don't create imaginary groups (imaginary majorities) to bolster your angry little rant.
Excellent discussion on PJTV also. Pathological or malevolent altruism is reaching epidemic proportions in our society, it seems.
Lydia hon, did you have a tough Easter? God bless your little heart, you need some prayers don't ya? Done.
Now you go out there and do some loving for our risen Lord.
Trey
One of the best interviews ever! Keep it up.
Dadvocate, another good point. It is striking to me how those folks are so "other" oriented. They do not give to charity, they want to spend my money to do so. They do not look at self-control, they are all hot about other control. They are not interested in taking care of their own house and living in peace, they want to tell us how much water we can use to flush, what kind of light bulb we can use, what kind of fuel we can use, etc.
It drives some of them barmy apparently.
Trey
Lydia - You only know the first part of that phrase, don't you?
I want Rush to do a piece called "Malevolent Altruism" to follow up no "Malignant Narcissism."
Interesting video. Rush seems to be what happens when Sci-Fi-reading A students end up with musical ability and a successful rock band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeUWJbs9Q5E
Oh yeah, the only words in the piece were dubbed in from "Team America, World Police."
Olig, you know the second half and are an atheist are you not?
^5 for your cultural literacy!
Trey
Trey, I've read the book.
"...you should be real careful about judging others."
That's rich, coming from such a noxiously judgemental person as Lydia. Case in point: In one comment Lydia boasted of having married a Fortune 500 executive who can support her in style, and in another comment calling Dr. Helen a "parasitic piece of crap" for having married a successful professor.
I wonder, is Lydia actually a woman? Could she be a 13-year-old loser boy who likes to troll? Regardless, she is a vile and contemptible little worm.
Dr. Helen: Thank you (and Amy Alkon) very much for that fascinating interview. It was in the back of my mind yesterday when I was arguing with some annoying "friends of the Palestinians".
Olig, you read, remembered, and quoted the book in context. I know plenty of professing Christians who would not have done so well.
And thanks.
Trey
That was an interesting clip. I am not sure how someone can really be politically neutral, or atheist, in honesty though. Agnostic, of course, I do believe and I think her words lead to that (as she offers no proof that God does not exist). I think she is living proof of the book she wrote, too nice for comfort.
All I know, from personal experience, is if someone is being nice, it isn't because they are. Having had many brothers, sisters, and parents, having moved often so as to need to learn people quickly, I have learned that the one who will stand toe to toe with you, intellectually challenge you, and outright disagree, is the one to call friend. Crappy as that may be.
I swear, those who are sweet, nice, helpful, or generous, all want something they do not think you want to offer or are out and out about to set you up for pain or death. I think it might be truer than either author suggests. Women should know this intimately, as the sweetest often are women and only they know why. No offense meant, but... something to think about in your own mind. Bah! I still tip better even knowing the ruse.
Doom, while I agree with you about valuing people who talk straight, I also know and value kind, loving people. Genuinely kind, not the kindness that leaves me checking for my wallet. Without such kindness, my family would have never made it back into our flooded home a year ago. So I prefer straight talking kind people.
Trey
TMink,
Fair enough. Then again, it is not like the people I was talking about were all harsh or just brutally honest. I am almost a human too, you know. I sort of like simple companionship and even compassion and kindness, if it's real. Why, I might even have some of that stuff lodged in my gears.
How is this WSJ article for Pathological Altruism?
The title is "Shutter Fraternities for Young Women's Good".
Here's the link:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704658704576275152354071470.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read
lydia...attach, attack...WOW!
entertaining though....trey is made of tougher stuff, you`ll have to do better than that.
you forget, he deals with people all day.
Doom, I meant to offer my thoughts for consideration rather than as a criticism of you and your post. I am sorry it came across the wrong way, that was not my intent, just my lack of clear writing.
Take care pal, and keep posting.
Trey
Trey,
I didn't take it as criticism, or unfairly! I was chuckling when I responded. Written form can leave much to be desired.
So I prefer straight talking kind people.
Same here. I once had a boss who was considered a complete jerk by many. The first time I heard the saying "If he smiled, his face would crack" was in reference to him. But, he always let you know precisely what his expectations were and he was as fair as any boss I ever worked for. I'd work for him again any day.
Damn. I missed it!
Trey
Thanks Dr. Helen I appreciate you excellent work do your blog... Garden of Life
Post a Comment
<< Home