July 13, 2013

Categories and Dimensions

Live Long and Prosper



The Needs of the Many

[The] needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few …

Nicholas Meyer (1945), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, 1982.


[Our] administration favours the many instead of the few
This is why it is called a democracy


Pericles (c495 – 29 BCE), Funeral Oration, Athens, 431 BCE.


Society is an educational product. …
It is no good asking people what they want …
That is the error of democracy.
You have first to think out what they ought to want — if society is to be saved.
Then you have to:
  • tell them what they want, and
  • see that they get it.
Herbert Wells (1866 – 1946), The Shape of Things to Come, 1933.


Reformers seek to make things better
Reactionaries, to stop things from getting worse


peaceandlonglife




(Adapted from Dan Kahan & Mary Douglas)


Stratification

(Vertical Distribution of Power)

Hierarchy

(Freedom for the Few)

Equality

(Justice for the Many)
WinnersLosers
Rule MakerRule Taker
PrivilegeDisadvantage
DeservingUndeserving
RichPoor
VirtueVice
RewardPunish
Tax CutsSpending Cuts
IncentivesDeterrents
CarrotsSticks
LiftersLeaners
ProducersParasites


Cohesion

(Horizontal Strength of Connection)

Individualism

Collectivism

CompetitionCooperation
RationalityMorality
Self-interestCommon Interest
Better for EachBetter for All
EgoismAltruism
Market NormsSocial Norms
IndividualityCommunity
IndependenceInterdependence
AutonomySolidarity
Self-RelianceMutual Aid
AtomizationCohesion
FearTrust
PrivatePublic
PrivatizationNationalization
Private PropertyCommon Wealth





Government

(Politics)

Society

(Culture)

Economy

(Economics)

Conservative

(Hierachical Individualism)
Plutocratic
Oligarchy
CollectivismIndividualism

Libertarian

(Egalitarian Individualism)
Market
Democracy
IndividualismIndividualism

Progressive

(Egalitarian Collectivism)
Social
Democracy
IndividualismCollectivism

Authoritarian

(Hierarchical Collectivism)
Totalitarian
Oligarchy
CollectivismCollectivism



Henry Brands (1953) [Historian]:
The essence of democracy is equality.
Everybody gets one vote.
The essence of capitalism is inequality.
Rich people are much more powerful than poor people.
(Sarah Colt, The Gilded Age, PBS American Experience, 2018)

Socialism

(Slavery & Serfdom)

Liberalism

(Capitalism)

Conservatism

(Feudalism)
DemocracyPlutocracyAristocracy
LaborCapitalLand
WagesProfitsRents
Lower ClassMiddle ClassUpper Class

The Purposes of Society
  • Maximize the benefits of cooperation
  • Distribute those benefits fairly
  • Minimize free-riding

Games

Positive SumWin-Win
Zero SumWin-Lose
Negative SumLose-Lose








(Adapted from Shalom Schwartz in Tim Jackson, Prosperity Without Growth, 2nd Edition, 2017,
Figure 7.2, p 136)



Bertrand Russell (1872 – 1970)


The philosophy of the Greeks reveals throughout its stages the influence of a number of dualisms.
In one form or another these have continued to be topics about which philosophers write or argue.
At the basis of them all lies the distinction between truth and falsehood.
Closely connected with it … are the dualisms of good and evil, and of harmony and strife.
Then there [are the dualisms] of appearance and reality … mind and matter, and freedom and necessity.
Further, there are cosmological questions concerning whether things are one or many, simple or complex, and finally the dualisms of chaos and order, and of the boundless and the limit. …

Truth and falsehood are discussed in logic.
Good and evil, harmony and strife, are questions belonging … to ethics.
Appearance and reality, and the question of mind and matter, might be set down as the traditional problems of the theory of knowledge, or epistemology.
The remaining dualisms belong to ontology, or the theory of being.

(Wisdom of the West, 1959, p 14-5)


Cultural Theory of Risk Perception


Sigve Oltedal, Bjørg-Elin Moen, Hroar Klempe & Torbjørn Rundmo

[The] empirical support for this theory has been surprisingly meagre …
The report is financed by The Norwegian research Council's RISIT (Risk and Safety in Transport) — program.
(p 2)


Originally [the group and grid theory was developed] as a neutral instrument [whereby] the morphology of societies could be compared [independently of their location] in time and space. …
Mary Douglas (1921 – 2007) [Social Anthropologist]:
The group itself is defined in terms of
  • the claims it makes over its constituent members,
  • the boundary it draws around them,
  • the rights it confers on them to use its name and
  • other protections, and the levies and constraints it applies. …

The term grid suggests the cross-hatch of rules to which individuals are subject in course of their interaction.
As a dimension, it shows a progressive change in the mode of control.
At the strong end, there are visible rules about space and time related to social roles …
[At] the other end [—] near zero [—] the formal classifications fade, and finally vanish.
At the strong end of grid, individuals do not … freely transact with one another.
An explicit set of institutionalized classifications [keeps] them apart [— regulating] their interactions [and] restricting their options. …
(Cultural Bias, Occasional Paper no 35, Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, 1978)
{The grid-group analysis describes different modes of social control. …
If the dimensions are placed in a two-axis system, from low to high, four outcomes [occur.]




[Each represents a different kind of social environment possessed of a distinct] self-preserving pattern of risk perceptions.
  • The individualistic worldview is characterized by low group and grid.
  • Egalitarians are members of high group and low grid cultures,
  • high grid and high group defines the hierarchical way of life, while
  • high grid and low group is the fatalistic worldview.}
A typical high-grid situation is … where each person has very limited behavioural options.
As grid weakens, individuals are free to act and are increasingly expected to negotiate their own social relations.
(pp 17-18, emphasis added)

(Explaining risk perception: an evaluation of cultural theory, Rotunde no 85, 2004)

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Values Are Not Facts

Ideology and Fanaticism

Cultural Cognition of Risk Perception

Matthieu Ricard

Values and Virtues



Categories and Dimensions


Progressive

Conservative

EqualityHierarchy
Intrinsic MotivationExtrinsic Motivation
Public BadsPrivate Goods
GenerosityGreed

Social InsurancePhilanthropy
Fair SharesWinner Takes All
Paternalism Self-reliance
EntitlementEnterprise
RedistributionTrickle Down

PowerlessPowerful
VanquishedVictor
SlaveMaster

AffiliationDominance
MeritHeredity

FollowerLeader
MercantileFeudal
ProletariatBourgeoisie
LaborCapital

Collectivism

Individualism
ManyFew
WeakStrong
Long TermShort Term
Prisoner's DilemmaZero Sum
Stakeholder ValueShareholder Value

ReciprocityFree Riding
ProductivityRent Seeking

Common HumanityCommon Enemy
InclusionExclusion
SelfOther
UsThem
PatriotismNationalism
TrustFear
SecurityThreat
ParticipationAlienation

Enlightened Self-interestNaked Self-interest
SchoolsPrisons

CivilityPolitical Correctness
OptimismPessimism
Things Are Getting BetterThings Are Getting Worse
Utopian FutureMythical Past
Openness to ExperienceThreat Sensitivity

ConfidenceUncertainty
CitizensConsumers
AbundanceScarcity
Risk ToleranceRisk Aversion
HarmPurity
RefugeeEconomic Migrant

Human RightsProperty Rights
ExpandersPunishers
MeliorismFatalism
RightsResponsibilities

DiversionIncarceration
Judicial DiscretionMandatory Sentencing
DecriminalizationProhibition
PreventionDeterrence

Gesellschaft

Gemeinschaft
SocietyCommunity
ModernityTradition
ScienceReligion
CommerceLand
Free LaborForced Labor
Natural RightsInherited Rights
MechanizationManual Labor
IndustryAgriculture
ManufacturingFarming
UrbanRural
DemocracyAristocracy
RepublicMonarchy


Monism

Pluralism

UnityDivision
UniformityDiversity
ConformityDeviance
SamenessDifference
FamiliarityNovelty
MonoculturalismMulticulturalism
NationalismMultinationalism
NativismCosmopolitanism
ParochialismUniversalism
IsolationismInterventionism
ProtectionismFree Trade
UnilateralismMultilateralism
AutarkyGlobalization
Self-sufficiencyInterdependence

Open Society

Closed Society
LiberalismAuthoritarianism
PopulismElitism
Egalitarian CollectivismHierarchical Collectivism
Reformist SocialismRevolutionary Socialism
Democratic SocialismAuthoritarian Socialism
Industrial SocialismPolitical Socialism
AnarchismStatism
Private TyrannyPublic Tyranny


Body

Mind
PhysicalMental
MaterialSpiritual
HardwareSoftware
BiologyCulture

Profane

Sacred
MundaneTranscendental
EarthHeaven
EmpiricismIdealism
ExperienceRationality
SensibleIntelligible
AppearanceEssence
ConcreteAbstract
TangibleIntangible
VisibleInvisible
ActualVirtual
QuantitativeQualitative
ImperfectPerfect
FiniteInfinite
ImpermanentPermanent
EphemeralEternal
MortalImmortal
ConditionalUnconditional

How to think

What to think
ProcessContent

Thinking

Feeling
RationalityRationalization
DeliberationIntuition
SlowFast
Type 1Type 2

Self
ConfigurationEssence
ContinuitySnapshot

The Middle Way
HedonismAsceticism
FanaticismIndifference
ExcitementLaxity
EnthusiasmApathy

Actors

Actions
CulpabilityResponsibility
VirtueWealth
MistakeError
CriticismDisagreement
MoralityConvention


KindnessCompassionJoyEquanimity


Justice

EconomicSocialEnvironmentalCivil & Criminal
RetributionIncapacitationRestorationRehabilitation


Power

PoliticalEconomicPropagandaNaked


Plato

(Jostein Gaarder, Sophies World, Phoenix, 1991, p 78)
BodySoulVirtueState
HeadReasonWisdomRulers
ChestWillCourageAuxiliaries
AbdomenAppetiteTemperanceLaborers


Causes

(Aristotle)
MaterialFormalEfficientFinal


Immanuel Kant (1724 – 1804)

(Michael Sandel, Justice, Penguin, 2009, p 127)
DutyMoralityInclination
AutonomyFreedomHeteronomy
Categorical ImperativeReasonHypothetical Imperative
Intelligible RealmStandpointsSensible Realm


Mythology

PoliticalRacialReligious


MatterEnergyInformation

RiskUncertaintyIgnorance
What we knowWhat we know we don't knowWhat we don't know we don't know
Known knownsKnown unknownsUnknown unknowns

MineOursYours
GivingSharingTaking

AlwaysNeverSometimes
AndOrPossibly

Empirical KnowledgeIdeological PositionReligious Belief
SciencePhilosophyTheology
ObjectiveIntersubjectiveSubjective

ObjectPerceptSubject
IntegrationAssimilationSegregation

PastPresentFuture
What WasWhat IsWhat May Be
Passing AwayChangingComing To Be
CourageSerenityWisdom
PositiveNeutralNegative
ImpermanenceNonselfSuffering
IndifferenceEquanimityAttachment

Functions of Prayer
AdorationThanksgivingPetition


David Hume (1711 – 76)

Abstract ReasoningExperimental Reasoning
Relations of IdeasMatters of Fact
Intuition / DemonstrationEmpirical Observation / Causal Reasoning
Mathematics / LogicFact / Existence


William James (1842 – 1910)

(Pragmatism, 1907)
Tender-MindedTough-Minded
RationalisticEmpirical
IntellectualizticSensationalistic
IdealisticMaterialistic
OptimisticPessimistic
ReligiousIrreligious
Free-WillistFatalistic
DogmaticalSceptical


Erik Erikson (1902 – 94)

TrustMistrust
AutonomyShame and Doubt
InitiativeGuilt
IndustryInferiority
Identity CohesionRole Confusion
IntimacyIsolation
GenerativityStagnation
IntegrityDespair


Simon Baron-Cohen (1958)

SystematizerEmpathizer


Moral Nihilism — Skepticism — Error Theory

AbolitionistFictionalism


Moral Realism

RelativismUniversalism — Objectivism


Isaiah Berlin (1909 – 97)

FoxesHedgehogs


Jean Piaget (1896 – 1980)

AccommodationAssimilation


JourneyDestination

DeterminismFree Will
NecessaryContingent
CategoricalHypothetical
ImpersonalPersonal

ChanceLuck
NatureCraft

WisdomVirtue
ChoiceHabit
PrinciplePractice
PureApplied
EducationTraining

RighteousWicked
BlessedDamned
PurityPollution
CleanDirty
WhiteBlack


EssenceFamily Resemblance
Intrinsic ValueInstrumental Value
CreativityCalculation

GeneralSpecific
UniversalsParticulars

Organizing PrincipleEnabling Technology

SignalNoise
PatternData
InterpretationResults

HeavenHell
SkyEarth
FatherMother

DefinitiveProvisional
FinalIncremental

CategoriesDimensions
Black and WhiteShades of Gray
SimplicityComplexity

PartialImpartial

A PrioriA Posteriori
AnalyticSynthetic
DeductionInduction
Deducing Fact from TheoryInducing Theory from Fact
ContradictionConsistency
ExtremismModeration
HypocrisyIntegrity
Quantity of LifeQuality of Life
DisgustAnger
PunishmentAvoidance
CyclicalLinear
CoercionPersuasion

StillnessMotion
PeaceTurmoil
StabilityVolatility
EffortlessnessStriving
NonactionAction
BeingBecoming
DeidentificationIdentification
Letting goGrasping
RenunciationAttachment
NonselfSelf
Having angry feelingsBeing angry
ChoiceReflexivity
MeditationRumination

AwarenessPhenomena
SkyClouds
OceanWaves
MirrorReflection
ContextContent
BackgroundForeground

PleasurePain
HappinessSuffering
JoySorrow
ElationDepression
GratitudeResentment
ApprovalDisapproval
AttractionRepulsion
AcceptanceRejection
ApproachWithdrawal
DesireAversion
Wanting what you don't haveHaving what don't want


PassiveActive

HowWhy
PropertiesRelations

VastProfound
MethodWisdom
CompassionEmptiness

Growth MindsetFixed Mindset
FlexibleBrittle
BendBreak
ResistAdapt
Self AwarenessSelf Consciousness
Common GroundCommon Understanding

EmployeeEmployer
WagesProfits
IncomeCapital Gain
SavingsInvestment
ConsumptionProduction
TaxesSubsidies
LiabilitiesAssets

InnocentGuilty
VictimPerpetrator
Freedom FighterTerrorist
ProphetHeretic
CivilizationBarbarism

ApprovalDisapproval
AdoreDespise
IdealizeDenegrate
WellbeingSuffering

TolerancePersecution
Level Playing FieldEqual Opportunity
Affirmative ActionDiscrimination

FactOpinion
CommentaryNews
That which no longer existsThat which may never exist
Anywhere But HereAnywhen But Now

EmergenceReductionism
SynthesisAnalysis
BasicApplied
DiscoveryInvention

Intellectual HonestySpecial Pleading
Intellectual CourageWishful Thinking

ConsumptionConservation
ExtractionPreservation
ForethoughtImpulsiveness
Delayed GratificationImmediate Gratification
Long TermShort Term

RespectHumiliation
CitizenAlien

ElitismPopulism
Top DownBottom up
RemoteLocal
DeterminismFree Will
MandatoryVoluntary

WarmistDenialist
SustainabilityGrowth

GameRules
EfficiencyEquity

VulnerabilityResilience
Protection from OneselfProtection from Others

CognitionEmotion
InformationMotivation
Shared NeurobiologyIndividual Differences

StateChurch
EmperorPope
LaietyPriesthood
HumanistTheist

Ivory TowerMainstreet
EducationExperience
ExpertLayman
ProfessionalAmateur
TheoryPractice
PureApplied

UnfitFit
Have NotHave
SubjectSovereign
SerfLand Owner
SouthNorth
SettlerNative
ImmigrantResident
DebtorCreditor

Doing GoodNot Doing Harm
CommissionOmission

RightsResponsibilities
HonestyDeceit

Rule of LawRule by Law
AccountabilityImpunity
TransparencySecrecy

Privatizing ProfitsSocializing Losses
Moral HazardToo Big To Fail

DefendAttack
SuperiorityInferiority

PeaceWar
AppeasementRetaliation
FlightFight
ConciliationConfrontation

EntitlementDesert
NeedAbility
FormFunction
LinearChaotic
ConjectureProof
ProblemOpportunity
PrideShame

EvolutionRevolution
Incremental ChangeTransformative Change

CriticismApologetics
AwarenessContent
ConsensusPolarisation
Slavery for the PoorFreedom for the Rich
BenevolenceMalevolence
Phenomenological TruthNarrative Truth