Jon, yes, that’s pretty much the sociological phenomenon I refer to as “tribalism.” I might add that in the present case, those who indulge in it typically interpret criticism of their expressed opinions as criticism of themselves, and often claim they are defending themselves, their personal reputations or their specialties against the kind of attacks that they are themselves perpetrating.
I’m sure you know what I mean because you’ve been the target of many such attacks in recent years on the list, while your appeals to reason and evidence have been pointedly ignored. If others want to see examples of the tribalist “debating” technique, they can look into the archives and read almost any recent post by Robert Marty. I mention him specifically because he has openly declared his favored style of ‘scholarly’ discourse to be a “blood sport” and has acted accordingly, making no attempt to conceal the personal basis of his animosities (unlike those who spread their slanders offlist). At least he’s honest enough about it that the evidence is there on the list for anyone who cares to look. Gary f. From: peirce-l-requ...@list.iupui.edu <peirce-l-requ...@list.iupui.edu> On Behalf Of Jon Alan Schmidt Sent: 17-Aug-21 10:23 To: Peirce-L <peirce-l@list.iupui.edu> Subject: [PEIRCE-L] Tribalism (was André De Tienne: Slow Read slide 25) Edwina, List: I cannot speak for Gary F., but my understanding of tribalism as a sociological phenomenon is that Person X affirms what Person Y says, not so much because X agrees with the content of what Y says, but simply because X considers Y to be a member of the same tribe. Likewise, Person X denies what Person Z says, not so much because X disagrees with the content of what Z says, but simply because X considers Z to be a member of a different tribe. In other words, responses are not based primarily on the substance of a given post, but on the identity of the person who wrote it. Regards, Jon Alan Schmidt - Olathe, Kansas, USA Structural Engineer, Synechist Philosopher, Lutheran Christian www.LinkedIn.com/in/JonAlanSchmidt <http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/JonAlanSchmidt> - twitter.com/JonAlanSchmidt On Tue, Aug 17, 2021 at 8:24 AM Edwina Taborsky <tabor...@primus.ca <mailto:tabor...@primus.ca> > wrote: Gary F, list It is commendable that you have removed Bernard Morand as a tribal member - and are willing to engage with him as an individual - but this still leaves the problem of the existence, as you outline, of others " who have demonstrated the tribalistic tendencies ". That is, your post still asserts the existence of tribes on the list. I'd like to know: what are the attributes, according to you, of 'tribalistic tendencies'? Surely you can't be saying that IF X person agrees with Y person, then, the two are members of the same tribe. Or is it, IF X person disagrees with Z person - then, the two are members of different tribes? Edwina
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