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Topic:
Why do we call them political "beliefs"?
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Jek_Windu
Registered:
Jan '03
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Date Posted:
6/18 9:48am
Subject:
Why do we call them political "beliefs"?
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I ask this because "belief" is such a strong word in the English language. Its usage most often seen in reference to things like religion, or philosophy, or imagination. Such abstract concepts that by themselves have no bearing in physical reality (for example, religious conflict isn't caused by religion, but by the people who believe those religions). Politics, on the other hand, is almost exclusively about hard facts and literal reality; rarely does it tread into realms of philosophy (freedom is a concept, democracy is a system). So why is it that we now attribute such a meaningful word to something that is, in practice, pretty mundane and down to earth when compared to things like philosophy?
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Quixotic-Sith
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
Jun '01
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Date Posted:
6/18 10:53am
Subject:
RE: Why do we call them political "beliefs"?
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Political beliefs are informed by philosophical assumptions about how the world should be, how we should behave in it, and how we should interact with each other. Ultimately everything is philosophy.
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Darth-Ghost
Registered:
Oct '03
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Date Posted:
6/18 12:00pm
Subject:
RE: Why do we call them political "beliefs"?
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I would say there are definitely philosophical differences between different political beliefs. I never thought of "belief" as a particularly strong word either, though.
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Lowbacca_1977
Title: Senate Moderator
Registered:
Jun '06
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Date Posted:
6/18 1:20pm
Subject:
RE: Why do we call them political "beliefs"?
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I'd say its specifically because our political views are shaped by our values, and values are certainly beliefs. Changable, but still beliefs.
Example, I'm shaped by how much I put free choice above being taken care of by the gov't.
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Jabbadabbado
Title: Senate Floor Moderator
Registered:
Mar '99
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Date Posted:
6/18 2:37pm
Subject:
RE: Why do we call them political "beliefs"?
- Date Edited:
6/18 2:37pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Jabbadabbado
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Our attitudes about government and public policy are undoubtedly influenced by our core belief structure. I say that without the slightest idea of what a "core belief structure" is. I don't know what a "belief" is or how the mind forms and holds one, or if such a thing exists at all in the way we typically think of one as existing.
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Jek_Windu
Registered:
Jan '03
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Date Posted:
6/18 2:50pm
Subject:
RE: Why do we call them political "beliefs"?
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That's a very good point. Do you think it's possible to view politics detached from one's personal beliefs? Or is it our personal beliefs that make us pay attention to the political arena at all?
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Jabbadabbado
Title: Senate Floor Moderator
Registered:
Mar '99
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Date Posted:
6/18 2:53pm
Subject:
RE: Why do we call them political "beliefs"?
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My theory of the mind is that people act primarily to gain sexual or social advantage, and then form higher level cognitive explanations for their behavior after the fact, mostly for the purpose of framing their behavior in a positive light for themselves and others.
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Jek_Windu
Registered:
Jan '03
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Date Posted:
6/18 5:01pm
Subject:
RE: Why do we call them political "beliefs"?
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So you agree with Game Theory, or more precisely, that life is about taking advantage of social networks?
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Lowbacca_1977
Title: Senate Moderator
Registered:
Jun '06
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Date Posted:
6/18 5:57pm
Subject:
RE: Why do we call them political "beliefs"?
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Jabbadabbado posted:
My theory of the mind is that people act primarily to gain sexual or social advantage
Clearly, I'm doing something wrong then.
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Jabbadabbado
Title: Senate Floor Moderator
Registered:
Mar '99
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Date Posted:
6/18 6:27pm
Subject:
RE: Why do we call them political "beliefs"?
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Some people need a while to hit on a winning strategy, that's for sure.
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LostOnHoth
Registered:
Feb '00
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Date Posted:
6/18 7:36pm
Subject:
RE: Why do we call them political "beliefs"?
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Politics, on the other hand, is almost exclusively about hard facts and literal reality; rarely does it tread into realms of philosophy (freedom is a concept, democracy is a system). So why is it that we now attribute such a meaningful word to something that is, in practice, pretty mundane and down to earth when compared to things like philosophy?
As Quixotic_Sith pointed out, politics is grounded in philosophy. Political parties are grounded in some form of political ideology, most of which was developed by philosphers, Hobbes, Locke, Mill, Marx etc
What you describe sounds more like "Realpolitik" which is more about the end justifying the means regardless of ideological considerations, see for example George Bush and Iraq. 
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Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities - Voltaire
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Jediflyer
Registered:
Dec '01
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Date Posted:
6/18 7:48pm
Subject:
RE: Why do we call them political "beliefs"?
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Politics is the fight over the distribution of power and resources to groups within a community.
When someone asks what your political beliefs are, they are asking you how you believe the resources and power should be apportioned and the philosophy behind that position.
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There are no dialogues, only intersecting monologues -Mark Twain
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LostOnHoth
Registered:
Feb '00
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Date Posted:
6/18 7:59pm
Subject:
RE: Why do we call them political "beliefs"?
- Date Edited:
6/18 8:02pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
LostOnHoth
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Yes, well put. Hence the terms/labels "left" and "right" and the whole political spectrum and vernacular.
http://www.politicalcompass.org/
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Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities - Voltaire
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