Our society consists of people with different belief systems. Artificial Intelligence (AI) dominating many conversations today reflect this difference. Some believe AI can usher in Utopia, while others see doom and gloom. Can our deep underlying belief about the direction of progress explain this divide? Does a conservative or a progressive belief explain this divide?
- Conservatives: Believe in a glorious past deteriorating with time, from a golden age to the current corrupting world. This belief prompts efforts to restore the past glory by resurrecting traditional practices. Hence, it shuns innovation or change, as it sees them accelerating this deterioration.
- Progressives: In contrast, progressives, also called the liberals view an evolving better future: from savages to civilization. A belief that future will be better and hence welcome innovation and change.
The contrasting positions of the two views was historically seen in the changing role of women in society, and in more recent times it manifests in emerging issues like AI and space- travel – enablers or destroyers of human potential.
On the economic front, based on the role of individuals in social groups, two distinct belief systems exist, labelled the left and the right wingers.
- Left-wingers– This belief is in line with the herd behavior of herbivorous animals. Happiness and security of an individual is seen to be derived from the group. It is in the groups’ interest to ensure no individual is left behind, as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Leftists are seen supporting issues like human rights, abolition of death penalty and green movements. They believe individual interest is subservient to the group.
- Right-wingers− Similar to packs seen of carnivorous animals, happiness and security of the group is a collection of individuals’ happiness. A group’s strength is determined by the strength of its strongest individual. Right wingers support free trade and commercialization. For them individuals’ interest is of paramount importance, and the groups’ role is to enable individuals to act unrestrained.
The contrasting positions of these two is seen in their value anchors: private property and reason attributed to individual achievements. Right-wingers give property rights the highest status and credit an individual’s talent as the primary reason for their achievements. While the left-wingers place human welfare over private property, and credit the environment and support systems for an individual achievement.
Labels help in predicting how people react to emerging issues. On all, if not most issues, I see myself as a progressive, left winger. What about you? Test cricket or 20-20!
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