The Story of Hate and its Ramifications (Dehumanization Thought Experiment)

We are continuing to discuss and discovery key points of the theoretical philosophical thought experiment for learning purposes on hate and corruption as well as its impact on decision making (I know that it is a mouthful). An exploration of the short term and long-term issues that arise if we do not have adequate institutional checks-n-balances. This is an example used to explore worst case scenarios where hate, extremism, corruption and prejudice can under the wrong circumstances warp certain protections and outcomes of justice. We can explore the dark side of human nature safely through a thought experiment that may lead to methods of strengthening institutions and encouraging the highest values in decision making-i.e. moral conscious (Integrity and values are still important leadership traits. We should always encourage it as a society.) 

In this example there were two stages discovered using logic and ethical principles. We have Stage 1: Default of Justice and Stage (removing rights); and) 2: Dehumanization (status creation). The first occurs where civil rights, human rights, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the Constitution are sidelined to encourage the reward and enrichment of an in-group. In our example, there were attempts to violate rights because of extreme prejudice and then a denial of such mistreatment to protect the perpetrators (Showing that they are not concerned with the rights out-group members. Even when they are right.). Further there was also group pressure to spread false rumors to isolate the targets and double up on harm to the target (i.e. Maggie in our example who approaches people she sees associating with the victims of hate and warns them to run. She comments about their sex life, alleged promiscuity, but certainly wouldn’t have any knowledge of such things. She smirks at the victims when she sees them and appears to further group goals and chaos. Many minorities have met the “Maggie’s” in our society who feel really bad about themselves on the inside, so they go out of their way to belittle others, and harm other people. Toxic souls. They lack insight into the drivers of their own goal directed behaviors.)

This worst-case scenario of major rights violations can only happen if there is a lack of respect for social contracts due to an inaccurate focus on the technicalities versus purpose of law (This can happen when there are too many attorneys and not enough philosophers. Law is logic and it was brought forward by philosophers but over the generations it became a tool. Less about the philosophies of life and goodness and increasingly more about games, money and power.). In the example, the perpetrators already knew they were immune for their behaviors prior to launching a hate campaign, were coached on how to cause the most damage by people living on taxpayer money, highlighted how people engaged in similar behavior in the past, and share social affiliations with those making decisions over justice. The multiple conflicts of interest create a closed system that functions separately from implicit rules of the broader society (…assuming the rest of society doesn’t agree with such behaviors.)

The example further highlights how a default in protections, group-oriented misbehavior, and attacks on basic dignity led to dehumanization. When anger is misdirected, there is intent to strip people of value to make it easier for others to create harm (It hard to encourage critical thinking when the targets are so worthy of hate. Truth doesn't matter where hate has infected the process.). Scapegoating is a common practice in places where atrocities have been committed (We should study these things because humanity has experienced hate, Holocaust, genocides, slavery, and tribal annihilation, etc. To deny that these things ever happened or couldn’t happen again are irresponsible and immature of leadership. To deny the harm caused by any of them means we still don’t respect life. Think about it...these are not accidental things as there were lots of nods on the way. Examples like this show where it starts and can grow. Squint your eyes a little and you can sort of see how something small can grow in the wrong environment. We have to tackle it every time.). Behaviors can create social hierarchies that people adapt subconsciously to gauge their own value. In this instance, a narrative set the stage by robbing some of human dignity and artificially inflating the values of others (We can all rise together but it is hard to explain that to slow learners.) 

Since victims must also accept dehumanization ready-made and provided intentionally misleading environmental feedback/cues they also can choose to reject that dehumanization if they have the personal strength to do so (Those that can do it have an internal strength most people will never develop. They haven't been challenged and they don't have the skills to stand against corruption or hate nor have they the insight to understand the importance of doing so for the benefit of everyone. People talk about bravado and respect but when it comes to the real stuff…it’s a different game entirely. Lots of selling out of values.) They may have fewer rights and may be mistreated based in heuristic bias but may still be more loyal to higher principles, more patriotic, served their people more than, showed greater concern over the public, and have earned their place many times over when compared to in-group members (Notice the different metrics where there are two standards where out-group members are seen in a negative light no matter that facts. They are nearly always on the short end of the stick). They stand firm not because of but in spite of hate. The victims may believe in freedom and fair treatment and feel the next highly diverse generation deserves fair treatment on merit. Others will seek to minimize that fair treatment (…limiting human capital. Some studies indicate we are losing as much as 40% of our human capital due to bias. You can make your own decision over that. Yet if we also added pathways for the best and brightest, we might be able to double our performance over a decade or so. New eras bring new challenges and greater purpose. Maybe not?)

The dehumanized can take the best course they can with the power in their hand to choose to be positive, polite, engaging, friendly, and proactive even to those who hate them because they still believe a greater purpose of society and it contractual values/obligations (i.e. what defines the soul of people.). They believe in justice even if some of the administrators of such system have given up on such noble pursuits (Our country started because of Humanistic freedom loving values, and they should be retained no matter how low some of us view others.) The goal to overcome hate, protect the public and give honor to the victims of the past (We have too many leaders focused on what they can get for themselves today with little understanding of their greater responsibilities to others for tomorrow.). 

The following study helps show what the methodology might be in re-humanizing people and in part integrating into a single indivisible people. Those who divide us by misapplication of law and social exclusion engage in another form of modern segregation. Good people have come to reject the hate narrative and engage. This is how beautiful and wonderful they are. Kindhearted souls who on an intuitive level know we are much stronger together and they are doing the most patriotic thing they can and that is to treat our fellow citizens as part of a single community (I put it in here for you to think about it. Solving hate happens on a community level. It is in the daily interactions, options, and choices. Once a community is tied together, it stays together; even against corruption and hate.) Our nation should be managed for the people and their deeper collective values. Some have clung to hate and made excuses to appease the perpetrators. My suggestion is to manage for We the People. If you don't want to or can't then please do a society and find another occupation where harm to society is less; at least help in that way.

A question arises, "Does leadership have the capacity to see the higher moral principles of preserving justice?" Think hard and deep about justice and give fair credit where it is due and fair criticism where it was earned. Honest assessments lead to insights and opportunities. For me, most people try and do the right thing, in general most people seek to live by a higher purpose, but there are bad actors with few to no checks and balances.So in general I have faith that people will do the right thing but that is not blind faith. The overall purpose and need of our central values is at times perverted by authority figures for personal or ideological gain. Those are a minority of people but they still exist and has been that way since the beginning of civilization. That concept is open to debate and discussion based how one views the world and how they view themselves within it. Time answers all questions....turn the page.....

Intergroup Contact Is Reliably Associated With Reduced Prejudice, Even in the Face of Group Threat and Discrimination

*This is a hypothetical philosophical thought experiment for learning purposes. It is designed to explore the darker side of human nature to mentally explore methods of overcoming. There very well may be a positive outcome. Take with a grain of salt and think deeply about your own values if you have the capacity.

Assche, Jasper & Swart, Hermann & Schmid, Katharina & Dhont, Kristof & Al Ramiah, Ananthi & Christ, Oliver & Kauff, Mathias & Rothmann, Sebastiaan & Savelkoul, Michael & Tausch, Nicole & Wölfer, Ralf & Zahreddine, Sarah & Saleem, Muniba & Hewstone, Miles. (2023). Intergroup Contact Is Reliably Associated With Reduced Prejudice, Even in the Face of Group Threat and Discrimination. American Psychologist. 78. 761-774. 10.1037/amp0001144.