Why does everybody hate political correctness?

[InquilineKea]

<p>Because it stifles the exploration of free ideas that may be contrary to the legitimacy of the ideas of (whatever group holds intellectual authority).</p>

<p>For example, the status quo assumes that genetic differences in intelligence are insignificant when it comes to social policy. yet, there is plenty of reason to suspect that this is not the case - that there are differences in intelligence between different races (at least this is what the data supports at this moment).</p>

<p>And it’s wrecked the careers of some (see both larry summers and james d. watson being forced to resign over his comments)</p>

<p>(see [Gene</a> Expression: James Watson Tells the Inconvenient Truth: Faces the Consequences](<a href=“http://www.gnxp.com/blog/2007/10/james-watson-tells-inconvenient-truth_296.php]Gene”>Gene Expression: James Watson Tells the Inconvenient Truth: Faces the Consequences), [Gene</a> Expression: Much ado about women & Larry Summers](<a href=“http://www.gnxp.com/MT2/archives/003491.html]Gene”>http://www.gnxp.com/MT2/archives/003491.html))</p>

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What is ethically wrong is the hounding, by what can only be described as an illiberal and intolerant “thought police”, of one of the most distinguished scientists of our time, out of the Science Museum, and maybe out of the laboratory that he has devoted much of his life to, building up a world-class reputation,’ said Richard Dawkins, who been due to conduct a public interview with Watson this week in Oxford.

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Dawkins’s stance was supported by Blakemore. ‘Jim Watson is well known for being provocative and politically incorrect. But it would be a sad world if such a distinguished scientist was silenced because of his more unpalatable views.’

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Influential psychologist Steven Pinker defended the legitimacy of Summers’ January remarks. When asked if Summers’ remarks were “within the pale of legitimate academic discourse,” Pinker responded “Good grief, shouldn’t everything be within the pale of legitimate academic discourse, as long as it is presented with some degree of rigor? That’s the difference between a university and a madrassa. […] There is certainly enough evidence for the hypothesis to be taken seriously.” [4]</p>

<p>Summers had stronger support among Harvard College students than among the college faculty. One poll by the Harvard Crimson indicated that students opposed his resignation by a three-to-one margin, with 57% of responding students opposing his resignation and 19% supporting it. [5]

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