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¶ … socially constructed. What was considered a problem in one era or cultural context is not considered a problem at all in another context. Social issues can be reframed as social problems, and likewise, social problems can be downgraded into simple issues that matter to specific segments of the population. However, sociologists need to be mindful of the problems of ethical relativism when offering too much leeway with regards to downgrading social problems into mere issues or vice versa. Injustice and inequality are generally problematic, whether or not a culture or religion advocates hierarchy or inequitable power distribution based on race, gender, or class status.
Although I am more generally interested in studying gender as a social issue, a more pressing problem has recently come to my attention especially in the United States. That problem is anti-intellectualism or anti-science. It seems as if there has been a consistent undercurrent of anti-intellectualism among conservatives in particular, who feel that academia is biased towards liberal political views. Because of that assumption about academia, a large...
The media helps to proliferate anti-intellectualism by creating propaganda and essentially continuing the process of brainwashing. Religion may also be complicit in the social problem of anti-intellectualism, especially when science is presented as something in direct conflict with faith.
Anti-intellectualism is not a new problem; it has been long endemic in human society because information is power. When Galileo and other scientists offered information, the Catholic Church responded with its full political power to try and maintain its strong social and political control. Other Renaissance thinkers like Giordano Bruno were burned at the stake for promoting science over religiosity. In the 21th century, we continue to struggle with anti-intellectualism both within religious and secular sectors. Hofstadter's (1963) Pulitzer Prize-winning book Anti-Intellectualism in American Life was one of the seminal books treating the unique cultural and historical phenomena of anti-intellectualism in the United States, and can be used in my future research.
Part Three
Using multiple sources including Hofstadter (1963), I would like to explore the social problem of anti-intellectualism in greater depth. Anti-intellectualism is a social problem and not just a social issue because denying facts and science is essentially denying the truth. It is difficult to argue for falsehood over truth; truth can be considered a basic human right. From a human rights…
References
Hofstadter, R. (1963). Anti-Intellectualism in American Life. Random House.
Raphael, T.J. (2016). A policy expert explains how anti-intellectualism gave rise to Donald Trump. Retrieved online: https://www.pri.org/stories/2016-08-02/policy-expert-explains-how-anti-intellectualism-gave-rise-donald-trump
Williams, R. (2014). Anti-Intellectualism and the "Dumbing Down" of America. Psychology Today. 7 July, 2014. Retrieved online: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wired-success/201407/anti-intellectualism-and-the-dumbing-down-america
Education to both addicts and non-addicts is important since it discourages those people who have not started taking drugs and informs those who are addicted on the consequences they are likely to face. The government should facilitate the setting up of more businesses so us to provide employment opportunities for ex-addicts who are undergoing treatment and those who have completed treatment. This will make their minds to be occupied with
Sexual Orientation Discrimination Discrimination can be carried out in the work place through many different ways. Federal and state laws go on to prohibit employers from carrying out unfair practices like hiring or terminating on the basis of religion, race, sex, national origin, physical disability or origin. All these are factors about a person that can be used either in his favor or against him. Some states have also declared employment
Anti-science is nothing new and in fact has been seamlessly woven into the story of human progress. Locating historical incidents linked to the repercussions of anti-intellectualism or anti-science is easy. One of the first European examples of the repercussions of anti-intellectualism is the story of Socrates's death sentence due to his philosophy of reason contradicting the established religious authorities in ancient Athens. Anti-intellectualism permeates European history, culminating with the excommunication
Drug Addiction: A Social Problem DRUG ADDICTION The drug addiction has radically increased throughout the world over the past few years. This research study aims at analyzing the problem of drug addiction, its individual and social implications and the experts' opinion about this life-threatening practice. The paper has also discussed the current prevention measures launched at the private and public forefront along with examining their effectiveness in the practical arena. The alternatives
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