There are two main options when you see yourself as being at the bottom of a
social hierarchy and you are unhappy with your current place. Option 1 is self-
improvement (which can take many forms) to move yourself up the hierarchy.
The 2nd option is to change the hierarchy without changing yourself. I note here
that the ‘perceived’ hierarchy is somewhat subjective, but being at the bottom
would simply mean you feel as though you are at the bottom of some social
hierarchy that you value. Whether it be you’re state of affairs with romantic
partners (or lack thereof), job prestige, or plainly the amount of sex or money
you have (as a few examples).
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So, if one chooses option 2, that person has come to the conclusion that they
are unwilling to change themselves but are willing to try to shift the hierarchy so
they are no longer at the bottom. Then, although morally reprehensible and
disturbing… racism and sexism do have a certain ‘logic’ to them along this path.
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Let me explain…
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Following this dark path, someone who deems certain skin colours inferior to
their own (i.e. a racist) will always have a scapegoat for their unhappiness. If a
group of people who look different than you are by nature (from this
perspective) inferior to you then the hierarchy problem is ‘solved’. No matter
what that group of people do or accomplish, from the eyes and thoughts of a
racist, they will always be inferior by nature. This may only remain as thoughts in
the racist’s head, giving them a sense of satisfaction for their own well-being
since they no longer feel at the bottom of the pecking order. But, more
dangerously, more often than not they will take try to convince others of this
‘altered’ hierarchy that they have created and possibly even attempt political
actions and changes to law that makes society more difficult for a particular
group or groups of people with different skin colors.
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The extreme desperation and immorality of this type of person can actually lead
to them having a societal advantage over other groups if they get their way and
convince enough others of their new hierarchy. Although offering a potential
‘short term’ advantage to those who directly benefit from such changes (i.e.
those not in the discriminated group), this will likely lead to instability and
decline of the society as a whole.
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The ‘logic’ of being sexist follows a similar line of reasoning. If someone
believes an entire sex of people are inferior by nature, then they have again
‘solved’ their problem of being at the bottom of the hierarchy because an entire
group of people are always beneath them regardless of what that group
accomplishes. Sexism comes in especially ‘handy’ when they feel rejected or
mistreated by members of the opposite sex, particularly when it comes to
romantic relationships. It offers a ‘simple solution’ instead of having to look
inward and change themselves.
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Similar to racism, the sexist person gains a kind of perverse relief and
satisfaction that they were born superior. If someone goes further to try to take
political actions and enact laws that limit the freedoms of a particular sex, this
can actually lead to more control over that sex (if that is what is desired). The
sex in power can gain an immediate ‘advantage’, with more ability to manipulate
and get what they want from the other sex as their rights and freedoms have
become restricted by society itself. Although, this ‘logical’ thread exists, it is
again morally disturbing and likely an unstable and flawed way for society to
function in the long run. It also doesn’t preclude the possibility that the sex in
power would have their own internal hierarchy, which some or many individuals
still being unhappy with their situation, which is a common theme in history and
in modern times.
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I have kept the perspectives very general here on purpose in terms of not
naming specific races or sexes. Of course, historically, certain races and sexes
have been the ones to use this line of reasoning to create societies that
advantage them ‘by birthright’. However, virtually any individual or group can use
this line of reasoning to convince themselves and individuals from their own
group that they were born superior and those ‘others’ can’t do anything to
change this ‘natural order’. This is a problem of tribalism more generally as
racism and sexism are just two extremely infamous examples of tribalism. There
are many other ways to put people into groups and omit others and so a society
must have individuals with enough moral virtue and integrity to not abuse power
when they can obtain it, otherwise the ‘others’ will suffer and likely everyone in
the long run.
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