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Monday, September 10, 2007
I Can't Help It!
And neither can you.
So we need to learn to figure out how to work together.
You have probably already seen this study which claims that "the brain neurons of liberals and conservatives fire differently when confronted with tough choices, suggesting that some political divides may be hard-wired..."
The study suggests that
"Conservatives tend to crave order and structure in their lives, and are more consistent in the way they make decisions. Liberals, by contrast, show a higher tolerance for ambiguity and complexity, and adapt more easily to unexpected circumstances.
"The affinity between political views and "cognitive style" has also been shown to be heritable, handed down from parents to children, said the study, published in the British journal Nature Neuroscience. according a study released Sunday."
Well, I'd have to say that I fit into the liberal category - and there isn't a thing that I can do about it. But I am an anomaly in my birth family - surrounded by those who crave structure and order. Something went wrong (or right) (or left) when my genes came together.
Watching the conservative people I know, I'd say they have the ability to change their way of seeing the world about as easily as I can. So, if we've accepted that people can't help that they are left-handed, mentally ill, gay (Well most people have accepted this one.), or prone to alcoholism, why don't we just accept that we are passive recipients of inherited and environmental circumstances? Only then will we be able to figure out how to live with respect for our differences.
And isn't that a part of the path to creating peace?
So we need to learn to figure out how to work together.
You have probably already seen this study which claims that "the brain neurons of liberals and conservatives fire differently when confronted with tough choices, suggesting that some political divides may be hard-wired..."
The study suggests that
"Conservatives tend to crave order and structure in their lives, and are more consistent in the way they make decisions. Liberals, by contrast, show a higher tolerance for ambiguity and complexity, and adapt more easily to unexpected circumstances.
"The affinity between political views and "cognitive style" has also been shown to be heritable, handed down from parents to children, said the study, published in the British journal Nature Neuroscience. according a study released Sunday."
Well, I'd have to say that I fit into the liberal category - and there isn't a thing that I can do about it. But I am an anomaly in my birth family - surrounded by those who crave structure and order. Something went wrong (or right) (or left) when my genes came together.
Watching the conservative people I know, I'd say they have the ability to change their way of seeing the world about as easily as I can. So, if we've accepted that people can't help that they are left-handed, mentally ill, gay (Well most people have accepted this one.), or prone to alcoholism, why don't we just accept that we are passive recipients of inherited and environmental circumstances? Only then will we be able to figure out how to live with respect for our differences.
And isn't that a part of the path to creating peace?
Labels: conservatives, liberals, neurons
posted by Carol at 8:06 AM
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