All Diversity Not Created Equal?

[J-Sun]

We Champion Racial, Gender and Cultural Diversity--Why Not Viewpoint Diversity? (Scientific American)

I find it fascinating that the author can cite so many studies which support his point that there aren't enough studies which support his point. I also think few people not of the orthodox right will be reassured by his use of the phrase "elite liberal" when he means "insular liberal" or something along those lines as "liberal (usually 'media') elite" is such a rote phrase of that orthodox right. Still, the main point that insularity of viewpoint leads to intolerance is not appreciated enough by many ostensible advocates of tolerance, so it seemed worth linking to.

As far as the specific point, I started to post this in the Science/Nature subforum with the idea of discussing the truth or falseness of his points regarding sociology as a (soft) science but then realized few (including myself) would be able to address it factually and most conversation (if any) would tend towards the political, anyway. But anyone who wants to discuss specific academic disciplines could be very helpful as well.

 

[Extollager]

Speaking from within the academic world, I will say I am bemused by the utopian society that is the evident desire of many of my colleagues: a place of vibrant diversity in which everyone will think alike.

 

[Brian G Turner]

I started to post this in the Science/Nature sub-forum with the idea of discussing the truth or falseness of his points regarding sociology

Actually, I'll move this discussion to Science/Nature, as clearly a scientific argument is being made about the state of academia.

If I leave this in World Affairs, then a discussion on an article about "prejudice against groups associated with conservative views" is simply going to look facetious.

 

[BAYLOR]

Speaking from within the academic world, I will say I am bemused by the utopian society that is the evident desire of many of my colleagues: a place of vibrant diversity in which everyone will think alike.

So they want to create their own Borg collective then?

 

[Hex]

I thought it was interesting that they claimed: "Liberals have the characteristics associated with thoughtfulness, fairness, and empathy for others. Conservatives do not. But again, many of these studies were incomplete. And recent research has helped reveal this fact."

when the paper abstract said this:

"People high in openness do appear more tolerant of diverse worldviews compared with people low in openness; however, at the same time, people both high and low in openness are more intolerant of groups whose worldviews conflict with their own."

(so people higher in openness are more tolerant, irrespective of whether they're being tolerant of gay people or evangelical conservatives, but less tolerant towards the second. People low in openness are more intolerant of everyone)

I don't have time to read the rest of the papers, though some of them seem so unlikely that either I have classic social science liberal bias, or they're doing something odd with their experiment, or subjects, or possibly all of those things.

I do agree that there is a strong bias to left-wing views among social scientists.