And perhaps the current slavers would change their minds if they read the right book, and perhaps not—more probably not, I think, without other changes as well. As I noted in the post text, the mirror neurons do have an off switch. It might take some abstract argument to turn them back on. Or it might take a “slave” rescuing their daughter in real life, instead of fiction. Maybe even that wouldn’t do it. Maybe their and my reflective equilibria are so far apart that they can’t be called by the same word “right”.
Nonetheless—Uncle Tom’s Cabin had an impact. Historically speaking.
It’s easy to talk about how the Other is an alien monster who will just refuse to be persuaded by anything. I can’t persuade the invincibly obstinate and despicable image of them that exists in your heads. Reality might be another story.
And perhaps the current slavers would change their minds if they read the right book, and perhaps not—more probably not, I think, without other changes as well. As I noted in the post text, the mirror neurons do have an off switch. It might take some abstract argument to turn them back on. Or it might take a “slave” rescuing their daughter in real life, instead of fiction. Maybe even that wouldn’t do it. Maybe their and my reflective equilibria are so far apart that they can’t be called by the same word “right”.
Nonetheless—Uncle Tom’s Cabin had an impact. Historically speaking.
It’s easy to talk about how the Other is an alien monster who will just refuse to be persuaded by anything. I can’t persuade the invincibly obstinate and despicable image of them that exists in your heads. Reality might be another story.