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Andrew's avatar

It's times like this, I think about this fact: The phrase "dismal science" was invented by someone to describe economics, because that person was repulsed by the idea that free markets are more efficient than chattel slavery.

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Justin's avatar

The problem with the logic in #4 can easily be seen by almost any history of warfare. Read virtually any history of the eastern front or in China in WW2 and you will see accounts of people getting used to casually committing unimaginable atrocities. At scale. Over and over. And writing home to brag about it!

Point is humans can get “used” to almost anything in the “right” environment.

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Andre S's avatar

Kass the Dionysian and Caplan the Apollonian - two entangled parts of the human condition. Perhaps the true wisdom of repugnance lies not in obeying or abolishing it, but in interpreting it.

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Iceberg's avatar

Being repulsed by bodily fluids is totally reasonable. There are many ways to transfer diseases via bodily fluids, and if you're smart you won't come into direct contact with them. That's why surgeons wear gloves, masks, wash their hands, etc. It doesn't mean dissecting a corpse is bad, but you should protect yourself from the gross stuff.

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Joe Potts's avatar

I feel faint at the sight of a syringe.

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John A. Johnson's avatar

It is hard for me to imagine a thorough discussion of repugnance without at least mentioning Jonathan Haidt's research on a similar emotion, disgust.

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Robert Vroman's avatar

At minimum from natalist perspective, its better for someone to clone themselves than never reproduce at all.

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