I like how Greer encourages us to examine the premises or cultural currents that undergird our belief systems. I don't think the myth of moral dualism is inherently flawed. Yes, history has demonstrated terrible abuses of the us/them groupthink, but going with the spirit of examining myths rather than ignoring them, perhaps the us/them theme (with humanitarian guardrails) provides a way to foster a sense of identity. Clear boundaries of this is me and this is you doesn't need to lead to war. I think his suggestion of two belief systems becoming incomplete without the other actually erases identity, and if humans have craved a sense of identity from the beginning of storytelling time, then it seems unrealistic to try to remove that. Instead, fostering an understanding of our differences and a celebration of each other with an acknowledgement of differences seems a more feasible goal. But maybe I'm wrong---maybe people out there want to meld together into one happy mutually compatible belief system where no one is right or wrong.
I tend to agree. Part of what makes us who we are is who we are not. IMO there will always be a degree of hostility in this because often these identities (and the beliefs and values tied to them) come into conflict, and each side can only see validity in their own myth.
For example, to the conservative Christian, life is sacred at all stages. To the modern progressive, bodily autonomy is sacred. These beliefs clash over the issue of abortion, and both sides have plausible but mutually exclusive myths to support their claims.
Good point. And to go off of your example, I think conservative Christians and modern progressives both value life and bodily autonomy, but the priorities are ranked differently. Conservative Christians are often portrayed as woman-hating autocrats, and modern progressives are portrayed as baby-killers. If we can choose to see beyond the black and white, all or nothing stereotypes, and see the people behind the philosophy/myth, I am hopeful that our differences, while important and deserving of debate, will not destroy us but rather highlight areas that require deeper understanding and empathy.
I like how Greer encourages us to examine the premises or cultural currents that undergird our belief systems. I don't think the myth of moral dualism is inherently flawed. Yes, history has demonstrated terrible abuses of the us/them groupthink, but going with the spirit of examining myths rather than ignoring them, perhaps the us/them theme (with humanitarian guardrails) provides a way to foster a sense of identity. Clear boundaries of this is me and this is you doesn't need to lead to war. I think his suggestion of two belief systems becoming incomplete without the other actually erases identity, and if humans have craved a sense of identity from the beginning of storytelling time, then it seems unrealistic to try to remove that. Instead, fostering an understanding of our differences and a celebration of each other with an acknowledgement of differences seems a more feasible goal. But maybe I'm wrong---maybe people out there want to meld together into one happy mutually compatible belief system where no one is right or wrong.
I tend to agree. Part of what makes us who we are is who we are not. IMO there will always be a degree of hostility in this because often these identities (and the beliefs and values tied to them) come into conflict, and each side can only see validity in their own myth.
For example, to the conservative Christian, life is sacred at all stages. To the modern progressive, bodily autonomy is sacred. These beliefs clash over the issue of abortion, and both sides have plausible but mutually exclusive myths to support their claims.
Good point. And to go off of your example, I think conservative Christians and modern progressives both value life and bodily autonomy, but the priorities are ranked differently. Conservative Christians are often portrayed as woman-hating autocrats, and modern progressives are portrayed as baby-killers. If we can choose to see beyond the black and white, all or nothing stereotypes, and see the people behind the philosophy/myth, I am hopeful that our differences, while important and deserving of debate, will not destroy us but rather highlight areas that require deeper understanding and empathy.
Well said - I very much agree.