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I was shaken when I read the letter Amnesty signed.
A while ago I read this article by philosophers Robert Talisse & Scott Aiken, on democracy. https://www.3quarksdaily.com/3quarksdaily/2020/11/democracys-hard-truths.html
I just want to quote a few passages from it because I think they're relevant here.
1/ https://twitter.com/iseult/status/1330797760883417090
A while ago I read this article by philosophers Robert Talisse & Scott Aiken, on democracy. https://www.3quarksdaily.com/3quarksdaily/2020/11/democracys-hard-truths.html
I just want to quote a few passages from it because I think they're relevant here.
1/ https://twitter.com/iseult/status/1330797760883417090
2/ "Democracy is the ideal of a self-governing society of equals. An immediate upshot of political equality is political disagreement. Among equals, no one get simply to dictate what others must believe about politics. "
3/ "Our political divisions are real and significant. Victors are not required to appease the other side or meet them half-way. Rather than bending to satisfy its critics, the new administration must formulate its agenda in ways that show a due regard for the perspectives and
4/ concerns of their reasonable opponents. This does not require the relaxing of any political view. Rather, it asks the administration to fortify the rationales they provide for their policies."
5/ Democracy asks that we fortify the rationales we provide for our policies.
I am a democrat, and unlike Churchill I do not believe democracy is a poor but least-worst option. I am a democrat because I believe in the fallibility of human beings, including myself.
I am a democrat, and unlike Churchill I do not believe democracy is a poor but least-worst option. I am a democrat because I believe in the fallibility of human beings, including myself.
6/ The demand that democracy makes of us - that we must have strong persuasive argument, that we must allow dissent to be heard, and our arguments to be tested - is our best chance of avoiding error. And the cost of error regarding trans health care & women's rights is high.
7/ Dr Stephen B Levine, a psychiatrist who has worked with trans people since 1974 & who chaired the Standards of Care for WPATH when it was still HBIGDA, said in a 2017 paper
" a survey of 17 international groups dealing with children and adolescents recognized
" a survey of 17 international groups dealing with children and adolescents recognized
8/ that ethical dilemmas stemmed from seven unanswered questions:
1. What explains Gender Dysphoria?
2. Is Gender Dysphoria a normal variation, social construct, or mental illness?
3. What role does physiological puberty play in gender identity development?
1. What explains Gender Dysphoria?
2. Is Gender Dysphoria a normal variation, social construct, or mental illness?
3. What role does physiological puberty play in gender identity development?
9/ 4. What is the significance of the frequent psychiatric comorbidities?
5. What are possible physical or psychological effects of early medical interventions or refraining from early medical interventions?
5. What are possible physical or psychological effects of early medical interventions or refraining from early medical interventions?
10/ 6. How competent are children to make decisions about their future bodies?
7. How do differing social contexts affect patients' Gender Dysphoria?
Against the background of this uncertainty, Amnesty have signed a letter calling for political & media representation to be
7. How do differing social contexts affect patients' Gender Dysphoria?
Against the background of this uncertainty, Amnesty have signed a letter calling for political & media representation to be
11/ denied those who disagree with them. It is shocking arrogance, and it is profoundly undemocratic.
