In a message dated 8/18/12 1:25:45 PM, [email protected] writes:
> I would like to point out that we are not all created equal and that most > of us are further penalized for not only race, gender, and class but also > for education and ability - seemingly the deck is stacked against most of > us > 'Penalized' is the wrong word. I'd suggest that 'restricted' might be better here, but even that is too gloomy, too focussed on the morose possibilities in life. Freud had an interesting phrase: "Anatomy is destiny." I won't try to grapple with what he had in mind in the essay where the phrase appears, because he too focusses on the bleak. The fact is we can also be ADVANTAGED by anatomy. We see that regularly in great athletes. We see the advantages of an attractive appearance, a strong immune system, of stamina mental and physical. The many aspects of high intelligence are the lucky advantages of anatomy within our skulls. Don't reply by pointing out that many athletes, entertainers, and smart, healthy, rich folks have been "unhappy". That would trend toward saying none of us has a chance to be contented. And it would be as unconvincing a response as asserting that no black female born into a poor family has ever eventually led a satisfying "happy" life. The sweeping "seemingly the deck is stacked against most of us" is too morbid a generalization. And, without qualification it's useless. It becomes useful for many when it's modified to something like "seemingly the deck is stacked against most of those who elect to forego higher education". There are many things that are beyond our electing for ourselves -- being taller, smarter, impervious to germs. But some things yield to effort, and to abandon effort because of a belief "the cards are stacked against me" is self-confirming pessimism.
