I am really not sure.
I had the feeling this quantum physics professor was extremely against the discrimination based on intelligence.
I think education can give people the ability to reflect about their behavior. The people who ruined my llife (my parents) made it because they were ignorant. Like thinking abusing your children violently would be good for them. I think this is one reason why I associate bad things with some stupid people.
The behavior of my former therapist was ethically totally insane. And I often perceived her as very stupid. But I think she felt offended by that and acted like that because I was smug to her. The thing is though: the usual therapeutic approach would have been to tell me that. I think I also rightfully stated that her diagnostics procedure isn't consistent. She was probably mad because of that. But it simply was the truth. And then she made the most abusive shit in therapy I ever witnessed. Was this an act of stupiditiy or total moral corruption? I tend to think its both combined. She wasn't aware of the consequences of her actions. And I get the feeling people who are not that bright often don't think about the consequences of their actions for other people. It is one thing to ruin your own life, but to ruin the life of others is a moral disaster. One could argue they are not capable of doing that and could use this like an excuse.
One could further argue: there are smart people, who could theoretically reflect on their actions but willingly decide to act in destructive ways to other. Like this chemistry master student. But in some way her condition is an excuse for her behavior. But then comes the question how much empathy should one have for psycho- and sociopaths? There might be some of them with a guilty conscience or try to act against their nature. But the incentive structures in a society need to be clear. Otherwise we are incentivizing crimes and immoral behavior.
There is a person in my autism group. I think the extremely smart woman I had a date with was annoyed by her. This woman seems to be pretty dumb and acts really rude in the group. But it is obvious she is not aware of that. I am morally in a difficult position. Her behavior isn't good and we should tell her that. Otherwise other people behave in similar ways. On the other hand, I think she wouldn't get it anyway. I am not the organizer of the group. Some members gave her subtle hints that her behavior isn't good and she isn't listening to it.
There are many very smart people who act very evil. In fact it is likely the people who do the most damage to this planet do this consciously and are well aware of it. The most evil people who do huge damage to our societies are probably pretty smart. Otherwise they wouldn't be in position with so much power. So being smart certainly doesn't make you immune of acting evil or ignorant.
I think I am heavily biased on this question because my parents are stupid as fuck. My mom actually thought beating the shit out of me on a daily basis would be good for my development. I am not sure whether one can make the case she is evil. Because the intentions were not to harm me. (totally insane...)
Personally, I have the theory she thought this would prepare me for the brutal reality of life. Well she introduced me to a never ending cycle of suffering and unnecessary pain, probably with the only escape in suicide. So thanks for that.
One thing to add. I think intelligence is not correlating with self-awareness. It is more dependent on personality traits.
I had the feeling this quantum physics professor was extremely against the discrimination based on intelligence.
I think education can give people the ability to reflect about their behavior. The people who ruined my llife (my parents) made it because they were ignorant. Like thinking abusing your children violently would be good for them. I think this is one reason why I associate bad things with some stupid people.
The behavior of my former therapist was ethically totally insane. And I often perceived her as very stupid. But I think she felt offended by that and acted like that because I was smug to her. The thing is though: the usual therapeutic approach would have been to tell me that. I think I also rightfully stated that her diagnostics procedure isn't consistent. She was probably mad because of that. But it simply was the truth. And then she made the most abusive shit in therapy I ever witnessed. Was this an act of stupiditiy or total moral corruption? I tend to think its both combined. She wasn't aware of the consequences of her actions. And I get the feeling people who are not that bright often don't think about the consequences of their actions for other people. It is one thing to ruin your own life, but to ruin the life of others is a moral disaster. One could argue they are not capable of doing that and could use this like an excuse.
One could further argue: there are smart people, who could theoretically reflect on their actions but willingly decide to act in destructive ways to other. Like this chemistry master student. But in some way her condition is an excuse for her behavior. But then comes the question how much empathy should one have for psycho- and sociopaths? There might be some of them with a guilty conscience or try to act against their nature. But the incentive structures in a society need to be clear. Otherwise we are incentivizing crimes and immoral behavior.
There is a person in my autism group. I think the extremely smart woman I had a date with was annoyed by her. This woman seems to be pretty dumb and acts really rude in the group. But it is obvious she is not aware of that. I am morally in a difficult position. Her behavior isn't good and we should tell her that. Otherwise other people behave in similar ways. On the other hand, I think she wouldn't get it anyway. I am not the organizer of the group. Some members gave her subtle hints that her behavior isn't good and she isn't listening to it.
There are many very smart people who act very evil. In fact it is likely the people who do the most damage to this planet do this consciously and are well aware of it. The most evil people who do huge damage to our societies are probably pretty smart. Otherwise they wouldn't be in position with so much power. So being smart certainly doesn't make you immune of acting evil or ignorant.
I think I am heavily biased on this question because my parents are stupid as fuck. My mom actually thought beating the shit out of me on a daily basis would be good for my development. I am not sure whether one can make the case she is evil. Because the intentions were not to harm me. (totally insane...)
Personally, I have the theory she thought this would prepare me for the brutal reality of life. Well she introduced me to a never ending cycle of suffering and unnecessary pain, probably with the only escape in suicide. So thanks for that.
One thing to add. I think intelligence is not correlating with self-awareness. It is more dependent on personality traits.
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