On the topic, I think it honestly comes down to the issue being discussed. Trying to lump issues that are extremely different (Foreign Policy, Economy, Social Issues, etc.) to gauge which side has the "most intelligent" users is impractical.

I suppose so, although I was trying to determine whether high intelligence + interest in a certain area like economics = conservative or liberal beliefs to a noticeable extent.

I'm not trying to be ham-fisted about it, or apply broad strokes and say fiscal conservatives are more intelligent than liberals, but I probably handled the OP clumsily.

Quote

(think how Kinder is a Libertarian despite supporting the militarisation of the police and opposing free trade (no, that's not a dig)).

Tell me what's so damn wrong with giving police body armor and rifles?

I oppose FTAs (free trade agreements)

Slow down, and apply cream to the sore area.

I made it explicitly clear that, even if I disagree with both of those opinions and find them incredibly vacuous, it wasn't in any way a criticism.

If, however, you'd like to argue that both of those opinions are commensurate with the Libertarian platform, then we have a discussion. If not, re-read what I actually said so you understand.

Why should we treat a criminal who has killed and raped multiple people in a gentle manner when they didn't do so to their victims?

Because the justice system shouldn't be based off punishment.

It should be based on restoration and rehabilitation. For those who can't be rehabilitated, I'm sure they have more utility than merely dying.

This is an interesting question, because I find it surprising (given my former biases) how many intelligent people can espouse fairly conservative positions, even if they don't, necessarily, identify with the label (think how Kinder is a Libertarian despite supporting the militarisation of the police and opposing free trade (no, that's not a dig)).

I consider myself above-average, and I consider myself a Conservative as well as a conservative. I wouldn't want to presume that I'm among the most intelligent users, so I'll throw that out there and let you guys decide. If anybody wants to challenge my own categorisation as a "conservative", either, then I'm happy to welcome that.

Mr. P is a lapsed Tory, and I certainly think he's naturally conservative in a similar way to me, although I'd hesitate to call him ideologically conservative. Turkey is certainly one of the most intelligent, and from what I've seen he seems to be about as conservative as I am (again, feel free to dispute this).

There are three examples of, at least, moderately intelligent users who are all comparably conservative to varying degrees. Of course, we have intelligent users who're also dirty pinko liberal commies - like Icy, Commissar and Max.

So, let me round up with some questions:
- What do you think the distribution is of political/economic beliefs among the most intelligent users is?
- Do you believe the intelligent user's area of interest has a significant impact on their resultant beliefs?

So my question is, have you ever had that secondary impulse? Did you listen to it or not? And, most of all, what's the biggest thing that ever came out of listening to that little whisper? Good or bad?

The only sort of meaningful intuition I'm aware of is moral intuition, which people like me are woefully lacking in.

I think the best definition of intuition is cognition without or before reason, and in that case I don't pretend to realise myself having it in any form. The problem lies in confusing it with impulse, which I certainly have.

In answer to your question - I don't know. If I do exercise intuition on some level (which I'm absolutely sure I must do) it certainly isn't a substantial part of my life.

Of course, parents needn't be together in order to care for the child. Indeed, one can be totally absent from the child's life, and still be legally mandated to pay support fees.

Basically, I want to ask a series of questions about the issue, to see where people stand:
- Should both parents be consulted prior to an abortion?
- Should the consent of both parents be needed for an abortion?
- If the consent of only one parent is needed, is the mother's desire for an abortion more important than the father's?
- If a man wants the mother to have an abortion, but she doesn't, does he still have an ethical "duty" to the child?
- If a man wants the mother to have an abortion, but she doesn't, should he be allowed to revoke any legal obligations to the child - such as paying child support?

 

Quote from: Meta Cognition on November 20, 2014, 02:38:57 PM

Quote from: BrenMan 94 on November 20, 2014, 02:22:05 PM

Quote from: Meta Cognition on November 20, 2014, 10:42:17 AM

Fucking christ.

Why is Ben Bernanke your profile pic?

I like to switch up my profile picture every now and again to public figures I (at least moderately) admire.

So you (moderately) admire incompetents?

The Bernanke Doctrine is trash.  If anything, it dug the 2008 recession even deeper.

The problem is largely the zeitgeist, not Bernanke himself and he even expressed regret over the Fed's actions during his tenure. Bernanke, while not being chairman, actually espoused views similar to my own.

I'm not sure how the Bernanke Doctrine worsened the recession either.

Do you hold any beliefs or ideas that contradict each other, even slightly?

None really come to mind.

Oh ok. A significant percentage of Black people commit crimes. We gotta shut down all black people right?

No, but better education for the black communities would go a long way. Icy's arguing exactly the same thing for frats.

He isn't saying we should shut down frats.

How would you recommend dealing with the other problems?

Not a clue.

I'm nowhere near knowledgeable enough to comment on long-term solutions to the issue. This really isn't that much of a thing in my country, so I'm woefully uninformed for the most part.

Quote from: Meta Cognition on November 20, 2014, 02:51:52 PM

For the same reason, we need to focus efforts on female students when it comes to managing oneself with alcohol.

The efforts need to not be solely on the education of female students, though. These fraternities that are known to be breeding grounds for sexual assault need to be dealt with as well.

Absolutely, and I completely agree. I just worry there's a tendency to see any attempts at modifying the behaviour of female students as trying to justify the actions of the rapists, which is utterly untrue. It's merely pragmatic.

I'm slightly with PSU on this topic. We recently had a judge in this country saying women need to learn to drink more responsibly, because it's making rape cases extremely hard on the judiciary.

By no means am I excusing the rapists, and I certainly think there is something of a sexual assault "culture" among students - although out of sheer ignorance, not malice. Education is the best option, and teaching students about what crosses the boundaries and where consent lies.

Education, however, is a marathon and in the meantime you need to prop your efforts up. You can have social programmes in Detroit, but you don't walk through the middle of the city with a fat wad of fifties. For the same reason, we need to focus efforts on female students when it comes to managing oneself with alcohol.

Europa Universalis IV or Civilization V?  Why?

EU, simply for the depth. Although I don't get a lot of time to play, nowadays.

Are you for or against genetic engineering in humans?

Strongly for.

Quote from: Meta Cognition on November 20, 2014, 12:58:49 PM

Quote from: Mr Psychologist on November 20, 2014, 12:58:03 PM

Ah yes <.<

I'll get through to your dirty commie brain soon enough >.>

And hell might freeze over too <.<