Who are you to say that?

Getting agreement on big questions has become ever harder because we either put our trust in science or insist that everyone’s opinion is equal to everyone else’s. That might not be quite true.
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[@SadyhVonSchattig]

I always got shot down by professors at school when trying to make a point. "When you will study for bla bla years, and gain the right to be at this table i'm standing at, then you can say your thing". As if my perception abilities are limited by some social rank. Same when dealing criticism in other parts. "After you gain X subscribers/do X money from your art/etc, you can voice your opinion". Bullshit.

[@user-kb7oe5wr7c]

Because a highly educated person is more likely to have a correct view over his field of study than you. This video regards every day disputes and social juncture. It doesn't say that having an oppinion always means you are right.

[@SadyhVonSchattig]

Любо Манолов Yes, but specialized people are also prone to certain cognitive biases. More likely doesn't make me wrong either.

[@user-kb7oe5wr7c]

Silver Nuke Of course it doesn't. I can't argue with you on that, since i am not aware of the circumstances. Yet it is probably a good idea for you to reconsider your ideas and take into account the probability, that you might be wrong.

[@SadyhVonSchattig]

Любо Манолов Sure but to me it just seemed like they abused authority

[@Yotrymp]

+Silver Nuke It's possible that most people don't know what they're talking about so shutting out a majority is more helpful to the professor than it is to you. It's unfair but it makes sense because it helps with avoiding a lot of the stress when discussing certain subjects with the layman (which your prof. saw you as, because you were just another student). Maybe your points weren't perfect? Not every idea is a good one, right? If they were, the only advice I can think of is to focus on making fewer but more profound points. Less information to convey is more information to understand.

[@andreamai]

I find that this can happen even in KZbin comments. I share a thought and people pounce on it making presumptions about me instead of engaging in the actual discussion.

[@MirgeTreasureseeker]

Andrea's Number Perhaps they were never interested in having an actual conversation. If they go on to you for stating your mind on the subject or expressing your opinion of it (provided it's a valuable expression and not the dim "I don't like it"), you better pack your thoughts and go where they'd be appreciated: you can't build a house in a swamp.

[@miaowmiaowchowface]

+Andrea Mai Creative which im sure you never do

[@littlefishbigmountain]

miaowmiaowchowface Maybe, maybe not. But you just did

[@DarkCartoon_music]

+Andrea Mai I know, sometimes I feel like it's better simply not to have an opinion.

[@johnmartin2813]

+Max Gamer ... That too is an opinion.

[@sofiadorrell99]

In short, I believe you're entitled to what you can defend/justify with a sound argument, logic, and reason.

[@DaPoopIsInDaPudding]

Sofia Dorrell People are entitled to feel or think however they want. No one has to defend themselves to you or anyone else.

[@gperson1967]

Lol Um no. EVIDENCE. We need to add evidence to that list. Humans are fundamentally illogical and not capable of rational anything.

[@edwnx0]

But some people forget that it's just their opinion. That's why it annoys people.

[@MirgeTreasureseeker]

***** Sadly, people aren't born with such vision: that the world is not solely theirs or wrong, that someone could have an opinion different from their own and still be right. Do you have an idea over why is that so, or why many people aren't getting it even when they're old?

[@someone5383]

Not all opinions should be. If we turn a blind eye to whats wrong and just live according to your own values and perceptions without thinking about or listening to others well just live in a world were people do whatever they want and believe what they want without stability and without the knowledge or wisdom of others, who may have more just and moral opinions and views, etc. There are purposeful and just reasons to sway one to their views, especially if its for the benefit and good of all, or if its moral, just, or shoot, just "true".

[@Shimamon27]

If someone answers to me by "Who are you to say that?". I cease communication with that person. Problem solved.

[@elizabethjimenez3879]

And they don't pester you afterwards? Do you tell them why?

[@mamaurax25]

This video was very well made indeed. Nowadays because of "everybody has its own opinion" ideology, we stopped trying to justify with logic arguments what make us thing the way we think. Therefore we become more empty, in and outside an argument. Which is very sad.

[@alexcampbell9397]

Thats just your opinion

[@willferrous8677]

I feel like this message is seriously important for promoting philosophy, and to protect it from the dreaded Newton's flaming laser sword.

[@thesovietgamer3792]

Even Freidrich Neitzche states that humanity has turned science into a new religion in a sense trying to prosecute anyone who questions it, science should be a tool for humanity, not humanity be a tool for science.

[@SethWatersVlogs]

I get this alot when I make comments or suggestions for school rules or behavior plans or classroom strategies. People say 'Who are you to say that? You're just the music teacher!' or 'Who are you to say that? You don't have enough experience!' I used to be filled with such self-doubt, but now I reflect on the fact that those comments say more about them then they do about me!

[@mistermaita]

This reminded me of the fact that moral relativists never argue with anyone - except moral realists.

[@starlightbright]

Who are *you* to say that? lol jk. You're right, it's hilarious.

[@SadyhVonSchattig]

+nick volta what was the difference between them?

[@starlightbright]

+Silver Nuke look them up! I'll explain if you don't get it. :)

[@SadyhVonSchattig]

Realists are concerned with the practical application of morals, while realists need to keep the realists in check by periodically reminding them that nothing is universal? I think they're perfect for each other, don't see where the problem is.

[@Gommu]

+nick volta I consider my self a moral relativists, because unless you've had a conversation with some fourth dimensional creature, who gave you the reason(s) for existence, it's the most logical stance to take. I also consider myself a selfserving individual. And in the modern world, then what's good for the 99%, is also usually good for me. If it's not safe to walk the streets for my classmates, it's not safe for me. Even globally, the same holds true. If people are unsafe in their homes, then they'll migrate and make you unsafe in yours. I can argue with anyone and everyone applying this principle I get that we all feel love and empathy, and from what we develop different levels of morality. But it doesn't belong in debate.

[@hithereroger]

I felt a cool wave of relief as I watched this. I've always believed this sort of thinking to be true but mostly found myself arguing with people that deny any unscientific argument. Thank you so very very much!

[@demianhaki7598]

Hi There Roger Steven Pinker mentioned in one of his talks that the term "scientific" should maybe be understood in a broader sense sometimes to include arguments that may not be directly consist of empirical evidence alone, but also of careful & consistent application of logic and reason.

[@GamerFollower]

What ever happened to people entertaining ideas for discussion? whether they be pointless or not.

[@cjheaford]

Gamefollower: I think i will have your quote put on a T-shirt. It is perfect. Thank you!!

[@rosslowther3560]

Probably because you keep spouting your half-baked, uninformed geopolitical, ideological and ontological theoretical bullshit all the time. Get that on a t-shirt.

[@GamerFollower]

Ross Lowther Have you ever stopped to wonder that maybe you are the one spouting that bull shit and not me? I believe people like you, who can't take opposing opinions without exploding into anger, is why no on likes to entertain ideas anymore. We have to tip tow around people like you, who thinks everyone who doesn't agree with them is wrong by default.

[@Rabbitthat]

i do it all the time it's called trolling

[@Brian_S_O_Tuireann]

Well they do say there is no stupid questions, however, there can be stupid people..

[@bolivar1789]

If you take a taxi in Istanbul you better begin a nice chat with the taxi driver since you will be sharing at least one hour of your lives together because of the traffic jam. From my experience, if you are genuinely interested in the other person's opinions and really curious about his life, he'll sense this of course. You'll learn all sorts of things from him and may be he also will find you interesting. He won't ask you "who do you think that you are". So I think the way people feel about our arguments has a lot to do with the way we present them. If we seem like pedant or over confident, this leaves no room for the other person. Since nowadays everyone's entire identity is based around their status , people feel threatened and intimidated very easily. Many intellectuals are also to blame for this, since they use their knowledge as "power", rather than just as a tool to offer the other person another perspective which could be very helpful to him. But I agree with the point of this video too. The people who work for this channel are always really very kind . But despite this fact, there are still some people under TSOL videos saying " who do you think that you are" to them. So that must really be due to a fear of being told what to think. But I guess it is also due to an intellectual laziness: It is easier to say " nothing is certain and no conclusions can be made". Because if you are committed to a more virtuous life, you will not only have to focus properly and think hard and come to conclusions for yourself, but you'll also have to live by them!

[@bolivar1789]

Tunç B. Doğan Hakikaten öyle! Belki anlasiyoruz, belki anlasamiyoruz ama hic olmazsa her konuda konusabiliyoruz:-)

[@supernovauk1]

***** if you don't mind my asking, are you a member of the school of life? I have the feeling that you are

[@bolivar1789]

gabriel d Hola Gabriel! Thank you for reading and for your kind question! Well, thanks to this channel I am a very loyal and very grateful student of The School of Life:-)

[@abhaysharma966]

Lua Veli i have watched almost every video this channel has published and in which it is not very hard to find you in a comment box writing something very beautiful very interesting, May i know are you a professional writer and if yes than i would love to read your work.

[@Vecio.Nandes]

After watching the videos in this chanel I always search for your comments. I find complementary wisdom in your writings.

[@0MVR_0]

"Who are you to say that." "I am me to say it." -Fact

[@SimplyMayaBeauty]

Let's just say revolutions in society weren't achieved by people of importance choosing to side with nothing in the name of neutrality.

[@millag93]

SimplyMayaBeauty Oh gosh FINALLY someone said it!

[@SimplyMayaBeauty]

Milla G. :D

[@SimplyMayaBeauty]

***** Well, in short, meaningful changes in society tend to happen when people choose an opinion to fight for.

[@listenerslaughters2758]

+SimplyMayaBeauty do u really understood what's he saying?

[@iefe65]

+SimplyMayaB Being neutral is not something that De Bottom (Narrator) mentioned nor implied, he simply said that we should discuss our opinions, ask questions and trying to find an agreement or what caused the disagreement to get a stronger opinion and not just shutdown the debate because things are relative, you will ALWAYS have an opinion, you just need to "clean it" with discussion :) Revolution I would say, begins because discussions failed, thus, we should try to improve the way we debate :)

[@painted_faces__long_hair6956]

This is why I hate when people call me pretentious for simply holding an opinion and arguing it, whilst respecting the other party's beliefs.

[@randomtinypotatocried]

But even science is facing this issue too

[@sharadmoudgil]

The point u were trying to make is called "Debate" in simple words.

[@cottoncandy113]

Roger Scruton has a documentary called 'Why Beauty Matters'. Please watch it! People don't believe in truth outside of facts. If it is not a fact, it is considered an opinion. Because I believe that there are other ways we can understand truth, this is very draining to me. I just want to talk about why certain things are good and share my love for something. But I constantly get, the "Who are you to say?" My heart breaks when people think that I'm trying to oppress them. Beauty persuades us. I'm not talking about superficial beauty, although it does too. What I'm saying is that when we perceive something to be beautiful, we believe it to be good. It is an argument of demonstration rather than dialect. It is the power of storytelling. This is why we understand the victory over the bad to be good, because it's beautiful. This is how we understand love to be wonderful, because understand it to be beautiful. Our human understanding is so wrapped in what what we perceive as beautiful, that the plane of our human understanding cannot leave its scope. When I try to have a conversation with people about this, it's usually dismissed as, "But how can we understand something so subjective? Who's to say?" But there are other ways of understanding our reality other than fact or opinion. You can be persuaded. We can _come to know_ and understand something. We can seek wisdom by slow virtue. This is why Scruton's documentary 'Why Beauty Matters' is so good! It barely touches the tip of the iceberg as to why beauty is so important. But in that documentary alone, it gives some sound arguments as to why. I feel like the more I learn, the more I become separated from society because this way of thinking is beyond foreign. But the more I learn, the more I learn about our humanity.

[@Nif3]

The animation was particularly great on this episode!

[@abhaysharma966]

AGREEEEE

[@willm6094]

This is one of my favorite videos on your channel so far (how to make a country richer is my favorite). I've tried to explain this concept to people several times and no one seems to get it. You explain it very eloquently here. Thanks!

[@baroncalamityplus]

Great now I have ABBA's Super Trooper stuck in my head.

[@conw_y]

Negotiate!

[@nathanmacaulay3661]

***** I think this video makes scientists out to be bunch of snobs by confusing science, which is systematic study, which as a rule, has to be replicated in order to be considered plausible, and opinion. I agree with what this has to say about opinion, but I don't like how this portrays science; frankly; science doesn't progress thanks to a bunch of lone geniuses who had a bunch of "Who are you to say that?" doubters, I think that's a misconception; it progresses thanks to systematic study. Those who get told "who are you to say that?" in science are often, NOT ALWAYS, charlatans and con artists. Then again, who am I to say that?

[@nicholasgraveline7384]

***** Thank you for making an amazing channel and informative videos. GREAT WORK!!!

[@tvrdo]

This helped me to better understand my classes in Logic in gymnasium

[@samuelmartinez6355]

I needed to hear this! Thank you.

[@bunce888]

My Dad would say; "the more you argue with someone the more you persuade them of their on argument." which, from what my understanding of this video is, the same thing (of sorts). Essentially the same vein of thought. I like you guys at The School of Life, keep up the good work :)

[@Saladlover]

the background music is so soothing and tranquil that i zoned out and had to watch the video about 3 or 4 times to understand it lol i love the animation in all of these btw

[@SandroPehar]

I'm loving the new soundtracks. Excellent channel :)

[@pixydodo]

Dear TSOL, infinity cannot be explained by inferior human language because it has a finite number of words, but I hope I am comprehensive enough when I say, that the thought process of me and my friends is almost 100% the same as yours. Thank you for touching such cryptic concepts of life which the normal folk tend to ignore so easily. We wish we could converse with your think tank, sometime in future... keep up the good work....

[@Haannibal777]

It is surely more challenging to present an argument when the data is murky, like disusing the subject of trust or love. But even subjects that can be answered by science doesn't have it that easy either. There is data and there is statistics involved. You have to understand concepts like sample size, error bar and such. It is just that most people are not trained in making any sort of good argument, scientific or otherwise.

[@fe4000]

One of the most awesome films of this channel. Please, let's talk more about opinion, truth, speech, perception, knowledge...

[@Neithan]

From an angle, I see this video addresses the channels haters in the classiest way.

[@GuyInBlackClothes]

I love this music.

[@frankm.2850]

We'd be in a lot better situation if rhetoric and debate were taught in schools. At least then we might be able to explain to people that calling someone names in response to something you don't like is a logical fallacy, not liberals/conservatives being wimps or some such.

[@tipofmytongue1024]

BTW, ABBA's Super Trouper is a musical masterpiece.

[@Epicgear848]

I must admit that these videos stimulate my intelligence, and it feels exciting!

[@asvinn14]

May Science can settle these questions. Our understanding and the science behind these topics just have to evolve into those realms. We can then finally start asking and testing these questions to then give answers.

[@pwilll]

I think the historical reason you gave for the reason why people get impatient about value judgement isn't quite right. I think it's more because when people say they don't like something, they'll call it bad, which implies that anyone who disagrees has bad taste. This unintentional insult it what leads to arguments about these value judgments.

[@VioletScrap]

amazing amazing amazing. thanks.

[@illmatc]

Wow... I needed this video. I've got a friend who happens to be a well read chap and he is really a mobile library but he does not seem to have an opinion of his own... He lacks critical thinking. Every time I put an assumption into question he yawns and dodges it. I felt that he feels humiliated by the fact that he can't think things through and comes with a "who are you to say that" when such and such have discussed it in such and such book .

[@JaesadaSrisuk]

Perhaps some questions have no definable or definite answers. Perhaps due to the incredible individuality of each and every human being there can never be a concrete answer to the greatest mysteries of life. I rather like that idea. It makes life more interesting and mysterious.

[@blueburro9226]

"Disobedience is a demand for change" and "change is the essential process of all existence" That last bit was Spock in ep. let that be your last battlefield --- boo yah!

[@mindaugasjuska]

In other words "Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, your opinion, man."

[@gashawkareem]

The best thing I've learnt so far is even subjective statement can be pass under test of "contradictions" if anything contradicts with that statement then say goodbye to it.

[@jeromydoerksen2603]

Jeez... Subscribed!

[@sterlthepearl1000]

Another good motion picture from the one and only on KZbin, The School of Life. Their power is our perception of their power, no one has any power that we don't give them. We give them all the power that they have. A statement that relates to what this video is about.

[@simpledaylife]

being charming/diplomatic/tactful can be a challenge to some ppl..

[@K0ragg]

simpledaylife If not outright impossible.

[@darkwing792]

Had to subscribe after this, Great work!

[@lukemcneill4504]

“It is the mark of an educated mind to rest satisfied with the degree of precision which the nature of the subject admits and not to seek exactness where only an approximation is possible.” -Aristotle

[@midnite22767]

Brilliant!

[@cristiangonzalez6968]

I love these videos nice job

[@anemoning]

Music in this video is so nice.

[@kokopelli314]

The ability to recognize optimal sets of solutions rather than narrowly focusing on linear, one size fits all based on a particular result of a particular measurement, is a hallmark of intelligence.

[@bubbletea8734]

"You're not allowed to decide if thats offensive or not"

[@WiseManOncePosted]

While no angle should ever be left unstudied, this articulates an healthy way to think of subjective discussion. One of life's biggest headaches comes from people's general discomfort of giving credit to ideas that make a better case and more sense. It doesn't matter if I'm talking humanitarian aid, sex-ed or which sports team is more interesting to watch with friends, I can bet my last dollar there will be someone in almost every circle ready to snip the tongue out of our conversation with something like "Well, that's just your opinion. We all have one." I even have to remind myself regularly that someone being confident in a grey area doesn't mean they're stifling my opinion just because "truth's relative, man."

[@hsbr00m]

Some of this videos reminds me of Qualia Soup. Great work they are very helpful.

[@indevidualbeing6488]

This is the best channel on KZbin.

[@altafal-khattabi6839]

this is really good.

[@TheBeatleboy64]

I often find myself, as a politics student, arguing with my friends who study history about whether I'm even *allowed* to make value judgements; as historians they will always retort with arguments for relativism. But this is exactly the video I needed to send to them.

[@Silvertestrun]

a relevant question is how you make people give a shit, or at least take into consideration by engaging their curiosity. I think this is the way progress is made, we should encourage it.

[@jonrendell]

Superb!

[@strangthingoodworks9952]

Right before I watched this video I was thinking something about science that could have made it seem like I meant something negative, so I cleared up my thoughts and I added something positive to my statements, to be polite.

[@simoneliasbjorkman]

Absolutely!!!

[@Mrcharrio]

I think the main problem with these videos is that you think human's can behave themselves or act decently

[@jacob_massengale]

+Mrcharrio who are you to say that!! ;)

[@b00gi3]

Who are YOU to ask HIM who HE is to say that ? (;

[@JIYkp]

This channel constantly addresses this very concern. Please watch more before criticizing their collective output as a whole.

[@littlefishbigmountain]

Are you saying that humans are incapable? I'm not sure of your point. Anyways, the more people who earnestly try, the better off we are. We shouldn't assume it's too idealistic or preposterous, and so not even try to be decent

[@pygmalioninvenus6057]

I think you're so jaded by malevolent human behavior that you confuse it with human nature which is a very different thing. Humans are not naturally aberrant, indecent, or violent and it should be understood that the old Christian "humans are naturally evil" argument is very outdated.

[@peroz1000]

Excellent video !

[@harryhaller_1927]

I love your channel! What song is the background for this video?

[@SnuggLeona]

Science can help to answer the questions you mentioned. By gathering data over time and through analysis we can determine which inputs produce the most desired outputs. In fact, correct me if i'm wrong, but I was under the impression that this is already the case for every single question you suggested. Keep up the vids tho:) very thought provoking and enjoyable.

[@ilaibavati6941]

Sometimes it's good to be "elitist and snobbish", it means that you admit that you think your opinion is better than someone else's - everyone is a snob in their own way, so I wouldn't be too fussed about being judged one.

[@maria-delrincon]

Very interesting video, I totally agree on how we all seem to fight around subjective or complex matters and discourage other's opinions with "you can't proof it". At the same time I find a bit contradictory the denial of the relevance of faith and religion in people's lifes. It is not a matter of being dogmatic but of asking oneself one of those questions with difficult answers: what is the meaning of life? Is this everything there is? Is there a god? I don't see why The School of Life seems to put that always under the category of dogmatic or dictatorships and refuse to acknowledge it's importance in our society...

[@pistolen87]

From a stoner philosopher trying to cope with, and understand life, objectively: This video got me thinking on Sam Harris TED Talk about moral relativism. I agree mostly with his ideas. He manages to be much more elaborate on the topic than me, but I will to NOT TO surpress my anxieties and neuroses about writing and communicating my ideas with others on big questions that the school of life frequently touch upon. Anyway here it goes. The idea of there not being anything objectively good, I find is an abdication of responsibility toward bettering the human race. We have so much bad within us that caused so much bad on this planet. But we are also gifted with the ability to plan ahead and use science to understand both or outer world but aslo our inner world. We can through these means understand what makes most humans to certain events and draw conclusions from them on what is bad and less bad to do in a citation, and thereby try to find a common denominator in which you can coexist with the rest of the human race. We admit that we dont know everything but through investigation, questioning and reason, we can find something that is "objectively" better. These somewhat fuzzy and confusing thoughts, that i get from watching "the school of life" channel, help me cope with my obssesive compulsion to understand my place in the world and getting an "objective" view of life.

[@greendog105]

It reminds me of how the issue of value was adressed by robert m. pirsig in "zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance", you narrator, would probably enjoy aknowledging the metaphysics of quality. That is, if you don't know it already.

[@adduser8559]

Me: *says something* Person: who are you to say that? Me: a person with opinions

[@ExPwner]

I can't believe that this narrator can with a straight face praise democracy immediately after acknowledging that rulers fail to use reasoning in their positions. What part about democracy is reasoned? It's nothing more than appeal to popularity. It's literally rule by masses. Many of the videos in this series are quite impartial, but the phrase "democratic discourse" only goes to show the inherent bias here.

[@ExPwner]

+The School of Life fair enough. I think most of my beef comes with strict adherence to democracy, which doesn't really carry moral superiority to other forms of rule. I do appreciate your openness with respect to a bit of a dissenting opinion. Most would not afford that opportunity.

[@user-zu1ix3yq2w]

Agreed. Rule of the majority. Although, I hear there are other forms of democracy.

[@TheShowThatSUX]

+The School of Life "emotional intelligence" implies you prefer a pathos to a logos argument. While it can be effective it creates the MOB MIND SET as well, where people turn reason off to appeal to the popularity of the mob. In practice that tends very much to be devoid of "wisdom and kindness". While we must not ignore emotion, we must also not let it over ride reason.

[@ExPwner]

+TheShowThatSUX that's what I was trying to articulate.

[@BosonCollider]

+James Adams In the world of statistics, there is a mathematical theorem called the central limit theorem. One of its consequences is that if your voters have a random chance of picking the correct option in a yes/no vote and they are just slightly more accurate than coins, the outcome of a vote with many voters will be more likely to be correct than any single voter. Of course, this assumes that your voters are smarter than coins and that their votes are independent. If they are dumber than coins, you get the opposite. If the votes are not independent (say, everyone votes for what that one guy told them to) you also lose the benefit. But voting is certainly one of these cases where you can make a solid logical argument from science that it is superior to the alternatives.

[@boldandbrash1707]

"Who are you to say that?" An individual; with thoughts and opinions of his own.

[@liamtahaney713]

idk I never have this issue...must have a good group of smart, introspective peers around me

[@ananya.a04]

You’re lucky, and so am I. But you always occasionally come across people like that.

[@BeastKing00]

I am free to speak of (and act upon) the ideas born of my mind any where, any time, but there is likely to be somebody who disagrees. A fact and opinion make some your friends, others indifferent, and others your enemies. This is both the boon and the bane of what it means to be human. This is only one's philosophical outlook though.

[@puntasticpunda4305]

Great video

[@xoom1712]

Who are you to say that?

[@MirgeTreasureseeker]

My thoughts are still hanging on the "say anything with confidence and people will shun you as they recall the worse kings and party leaders". Is that the reason? As far as I know, confidence is what attracts others to you, even if you're shite in whatever field you're in. This is a common advice of a way to get the job: be confident, even if you know nothing about the bloody thing. Do you not think, too, that Hitler was only able to amass such an army of followers due to his visionary approach to the fine details of human soul? He seemed quite convinced in whatever he was doing was as right as it can be. It's not to say that I disagree with the main thought: that even if it's hard, painful or uncomfortable, you should address whatever issue you deem important or urgent. Yet, I believe that confidence is part of the way, not solely diplomacy: it is how you show how you believe in whatever you're saying; if your point is to convince others that it's a subject worth exploring or deciding upon, being confident about your ideas seems to me to be the best way.

[@punky2deep]

haha this channel has taught me more about life than anything else

[@demianhaki7598]

There is one justifiable answer to the question of "Who are you to say that?!" which should demand a certain level of attention from others: "I'm a person with good arguments". Other than that, who we are obviously never matters. Reasons matter. Whether they are reasons in the form of scientific evidence or reasons that are derived from/constructed on the basis of logical extrapolation.

[@professorbaxtercarelessdre1075]

it is really hard sometimes, cause everything has to be prefaced with "this is just my opinion" or has to be phrased so delicately without offending anyone. not saying i don't approve of saying things in the nicest most considerate way possible, you see i'm so afraid of even writing this i can barely finish making my attempt at a point. we'll never get anywhere if people can't say anything :(

[@osmmso8273]

This reminds me of some points made my Charles Taylor in "The Ethics of Authenticity". Has anybody read it? I think it's a really important book and was ahead in its time in some ways, shame its so tough to read!

[@granthowse5638]

I met a man in hospital called Mr Bigot today. I imagine the poor man could never make a case for an argument without the other bringing that fact up.

[@360.Tapestry]

that would be similar to some people who won't let the president's middle name go.

[@killgriffinnow]

There is a limit to what you are saying though-if someone likes a song, or a painting, no matter how many arguments are made to it not being good, often, to that person it will still be good because they see something in it that they like and it will be almost impossible to convince them otherwise.

[@johnmartin2813]

Good for you! This.needed saying. (Even if you're not quite as well-qualified to say it as I am.)

[@computerassociates7686]

It seems that nowadays people care more about the messenger than about the message itself.

[@taiwanrocks527]

even science can be a dodgy subject when the results of experiments are interpreted differently

[@kobathedread]

There have been a few mad scientists down the years.

[@metacarpitan]

"we only accept an idea if it is scientific fact" lol not even that anymore!

[@AwesomeAndrew]

if people say things like that to me in certain situations, mainly on topics to do with perhaps with social issues such as crime, often they ask what my qualifications are in an attempt to debase my solutions. I point out that the so called experts are clueless to solve the problems, so it is obvious they have no idea what they are doing, and that their apparent education and experience is meaningless as it has not solved the problem. So it is apparent that all that education is irrelevant.

[@picpicavengers]

the music is nice

[@akmonra]

I would say those questions are not outside the realm of science. Neuroscience can shed light on what we find to be pleasing to the eye (nice cities, attractive buildings), as well as what generally enhance our sense of well being in connection to others (relationships), and how cognition and childhood learning develops (education). What businesses should focus on depends highly on values (standard of living, better technology, medicine, poverty, the environment, etc). There is always room for dissent and opinion, of course, but at the same time we need to acknowledge that a well reasoned argument can be made about almost anything, and that science gives us a chance to shed some objectivity onto the subject.

[@florniov]

It also shows that a lot of people still require a certain form of absolute authority for them to accept any notion about anything. It's really sad and though it stems from different times, it also has a lot to do with todays anti-intellectualism and not being able to think up anything on your own.

[@Donxster]

I actually think that some of the issues mentioned as not being able to address scientifically can be. How bosses treat employees and how to design better cities, for example. There is a lot that can be measured in these areas, and experiments can be duplicated. I suppose it is the goal that needs to be agreed upon. Will a company be more profitable if its employees feel acknowledged? Is a city better when it is easier to travel in and is less polluted? An interdisciplinary approach to determining goals can be a scientific process as well.

[@SylvainChapdelaine]

as usual ... interesting.

[@patrickkinnear8625]

This guy may very well dethrone Morgan Freeman as the most pleasant narrator of all time. Great video. Great content.

[@patrickkinnear8625]

Wow. What a quick response.

[@SaraSoleimani]

Why can't I find a life partner who I can have intellectual discussions with, that they would also find engaging? Scientific ones and the philosophical ones too, I see no social circles that I can join in my own peer group for these types respectful and well-informed conversations.

[@anilsaluja6713]

People like that always exist, but sometimes they're scared to engage in a serious discussion. I had a friend who (on the outside) was a party animal and on the inside was an artist.

[@Tyrmund]

I agree with Anil, you may have to take the first step and bring up some of the topics you find interesting. Many people are likely to react with indifference or consider it pretentious, but I think it's worth the effort. Interests aside, I'm afraid the respectful part is harder to come by regardless of how commited people are to these subjects. I always found it a bit depressing (even though that made me like him all the more) that Thomas Kuhn, among the words of praise he had for his colleague Carl Hempel, felt he had to mention that "From him I learned to recognize the stance of a man who intends philosophical distinctions to advance truth rather than to win debates." I wish you good luck with both things.

[@cyork1288]

He was a bold man that first ate an oyster. Jonathan Swift

[@demianhaki7598]

C York It was a bold person that first discovered that you could drink a cow's milk.

[@morgengabe1]

This reminds me of a time when I was in a Religious Education class and someone quite randomly asked "Why do Chinese people have smaller eyes?" I began to respond with "China is known for being windy..." before I was cut off and the entire class (teacher included) declared me a racist.

[@worldofcyn]

I think I'm guilty of this. I apologize for dismissing people's criticism based on the subjectiveness

[@360.Tapestry]

i would venture to say "who are you to say that?" is a form of ad hominem response - deflecting the validity of the stance, and rather than attack the position, it's an attack on the person's authority/social status.