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Category Archives: Human Relations
Healthy Societies Are Efficient
Efficiency isn’t everything, but healthy societies and people need it. If you want the deep explanation of why that’s true, read about Charles Darwin’s observations of birds (finches) on the Galapagos Islands off the coast of South America. Each island … Continue reading
Is Racism a Useful Concept?
I recently participated in an academic discussion about whether or not “racism” is a useful concept. Amazingly, the discussion was cordial and rational except for the moderator and one participant who was a graduate student in some version of victims’ … Continue reading
Posted in Human Relations, Psychology
Tagged Kendi, Lysenko, Race relations, Racism, Self-reliance
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Good Advice from George Washington
Until quite recently, U.S. President George Washington was considered the ideal American: honest, brave, wise, and patriotic. None of that has changed. Washington offered some good advice about how to have a healthy society and a just government: “We must … Continue reading
Posted in Human Relations, Political Science
Tagged Community, Evolution, George Washington, In-Group, Kin Selection, Out-Group, Social Conflict, Social trust
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Don’t “Other” Other People
Most people aren’t familiar with the idea of “othering,” but they are familiar with what it is. They’ve seen it. They’ve done it to other people, and they’ve had it done to them. To “other” a group of people is … Continue reading
Posted in Human Relations, Life, Political Science, Psychology, Science
Tagged Evolution, Group bias, In-Group, Kin Selection, Othering, Out-Group, Partisanship, Social Conflict
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Minding Our Own Business
I’m pretty sure that the Dalai Lama quote is fake, but it’s still true. “Not my effing problem” can be a path not only to inner peace, but also to social peace. Think for a moment about what it means … Continue reading
Posted in Human Relations, Life, Political Science
Tagged Arrogance, Humility, Liberty, Life, Respect, Respect for others, Social Conflict, Wisdom
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What To Do If Someone Dislikes You
What should you do if someone dislikes you? The first step is simple and obvious: Get over it. People sometimes dislike us for all kinds of reasons that have nothing to do with us. Maybe we remind them of a … Continue reading
Posted in Human Relations, Life
Tagged Bad habits, Behavior, Courtesy, Dislike, Feedback, Personality traits, Reflection, Respect, Self-esteem
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Humility and Tolerance Go Together
Name an issue: Immigration. Abortion. Free speech. Lockdowns. Riots. Race relations. Many people are absolutely sure that they know what the problems and solutions are. If you don’t agree with them, then they think you must be ignorant, stupid, or … Continue reading
Posted in Human Relations, Life
Tagged Arrogance, Benjamin Franklin, Humility, Intellectual humility, Intolerance, Rational disagreement, Rationality, Tolerance, Wisdom
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You Are Responsible for You
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was a poor boy from Illinois who became one of America’s greatest presidents. He was not a perfect person. He failed often, but he never let it stop him. He kept on going. And whether he failed … Continue reading
Posted in Human Relations, Life, Psychology
Tagged Advice, Constructive attitude, Cooperation, Lincoln, Positive attitude, Self-improvement, Wisdom
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In Defense of Misguided People
Misguided people are all around us. Of course, which people we call misguided depends on how misguided we are, ourselves. So I want to say a few words in defense of misguided people. They might not know the facts I … Continue reading
Posted in Human Relations, Life, Philosophy, Psychology
Tagged Charity, Division of labor, Forgiveness, Honesty, Human motivation, Humility, Knowledge, Limits of knowledge
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The Thousand-Year View 