Tag: epistemic closure

Barack Obama helpfully shows us what epistemic closure looks like.

All up close, and personal, like.

This tweet is making the rounds:

Not much point to further commentary on this, except to note that this is precisely what happens when somebody assumes that they know everything, and nigh-deliberately learns nothing. Although I will admit that it’s not like this is the first time that the people, to more or less quote Glenn Reynolds, have disappointed the Democrats.  That dang messy objective reality…

Moe Lane (crosspost)

PS: It will be fascinating to see who, if anybody, will attempt to justify this rather inane comment by Barack Obama. Because somebody of course will try.  I recommend a reaction to said attempts of basic contempt, with just enough pity to give the whole thing a little flavor…

PPS: Hey, which Democratic candidates agree with Barack Obama on this one?  Anybody?  Anybody?

#rsrh More on epistemic closure among the Left.

Via Jim Geraghty’s Morning Jolt (who, erm, quoted me on this topic, because that’s the way the Internet is) comes this fascinating look into comparative understanding.  Or, more accurately, lack of same:

They asked two thousand Americans to describe their political leanings (liberal, moderate, conservative) and fill out a questionnaire about morality, one-third of the time as themselves, one-third of the time as a “typical liberal”, and one-third of the time as a “typical conservative”. The clear answer was: self-described conservatives and moderates were much better at predicting what other people would believe. Liberals, especially the “very liberal”, were by far the worst at guessing what people would say, and especially bad at guessing what conservatives would say about issues of care or fairness. For example, most thought that conservatives would disagree with statements like “One of the worst things a person could do is hurt a defenceless animal” or “Justice is the most important requirement for a society”.

Continue reading #rsrh More on epistemic closure among the Left.