Q&A: Why the Left Is More Intelligent Than the Right
Why the Left Is More Intelligent Than the Right
Question
Hello!
As written in the title.
More broadly, why does the left tend to be more intelligent (in the US too, apparently) and occupy a broader place in the academic world?
Does this mean that a person at a certain level of intelligence, however high it may be, must necessarily be liberal?
Thank you!
Answer
In my opinion, the situation is the opposite. As a generalization, the left is more educated but less intelligent. Education is connected to the left, since it leads to greater openness to other views and other people (universalism). But a connection to your roots leaves you closer to the truth. The best combination is openness that preserves a connection to your roots, or to open yourself in many directions but not let them take you captive.
Discussion on Answer
Can the Rabbi explain why a connection to your roots leaves you closer to the truth? What does that mean?
After all, if everyone stays connected to their roots, it would turn out that everyone is closer to the truth, and that can’t be..
The emptiness on the left pushes the leftist to study more and more various odd subjects.
This is a general impression. Several explanations can be suggested: if you are connected to your roots, you are less likely to go after every passing wind from outside you (though you may still go after passing winds from within). Your roots are part of you, and therefore giving them up means giving up the form of perspective that suits you.
One should remember that the same truth can be seen from a few different angles and on several levels. Different people can connect to their different roots and all hit on the truth more than others do. So, for example, a Jew and a Christian can be connected to their roots and believe in God (different in a certain sense), and be more correct than those who go after the atheism from outside.
I didn’t understand. One could also say that the atheist, if he remains connected to his roots, will be closer to the truth… On what basis do you say that specifically the Jew and the Christian, if they remain close to their roots, will hit the truth more? Is it from the starting point that theism is correct?
And if so, then this statement has no meaning.
These pilpul-style hairsplittings are unnecessary and pointless. I gave belief in God here as an example, but I didn’t say that sticking to one’s roots necessarily leads to faith.
Indeed, if there is a society that has deeply rooted atheist foundations (although to the best of my knowledge there is no such society), then if its members stick to their roots, that will help them think straight. That doesn’t mean they will always be right. It also doesn’t mean that everyone’s roots are always right. It does mean that stability and not being dragged after every passing wind are useful tools for reaching correct conclusions. That’s all.
The argument is very simple and clear, even if one can argue with it (I myself wrote in the past that conservatism and innovation can both lead to mistakes, because like any agenda, both express considerations that are not relevant to the matter itself, that is, decision-making not on the merits of the issue).
Awesome, I didn’t know the Rabbi was a Likudnik..