Assholes, a Theory

Brief Summary

A philosophical theory of assholes by James (2014). A theory that seeks not to defame but rather to taxonomize — that is, to build a moral typology in the style of Aristotle and the biological sciences.

Key Takeaways

Miscellaneous Notes

• pp. 2-13: What is it for someone to be an a-hole? A-holes reveal about the human social condition. Get a better sense of when the a-hole is best resisted and when he is best ignored.
• p:13: The 3 requirements for a good theory of a-holes:
  1. Stable trait of character
  2. Imposes only small or moderate costs upon others (as compared to psychopaths)
  3. Morally repugnant
• p.13: The a-hole takes himself to be justified in enjoying special advantages from cooperative relations.
• p.18: The a-hole’s “entrenched” sense of entitlement, a special treatment adapting to new circumstances thus evolving, leads him to systematically think or assume that he has that entitlement. However form a moral point of view he does not have such privileges.
• p.33: A theory seeks not to defame but rather to taxonomize — that is, to build a moral typology in the style of Aristotle and the biological sciences.
• p.33: A boorish a-hole is willfully insensitive to normal boundaries of courtesy or respect. He us usually out in the open about this and even proud of the fact.
• p.37: Aristotle’s maxim: We should not expect precision from a theory beyond what it’s subject matter will bear. If poetry is not math, neither is virtue and vice.
• p.46: The right to speak does not entitle one to violate diplomatic and norms of courtesy.
• p.39: Smug a-hole is comfortable in his sense that others are inferior and presumes that others should expect him to behave as their better.
• p.43: A-hole boss is a socially induced type because the person is placed in a position of power.
• p.66: thinner, purer a-hole style emerged.
• p.68: people want to listen to blowhards (A person who talks too much or too loudly, especially in a boastful or self-important manner).
• p.70: staged a ploy (An action calculated to frustrate an opponent or gain an advantage indirectly or deviously; a maneuver): a dodge (To evade an obligation by cunning, trickery, or deceit). Shifted attention away from the point made to the qualifications of of the person making it in order to score a point.
• p.71: the dodged quibbles (A trivial matter or minor concern raised in arguing or finding fault) over petty (of small importance; trivial) details, mainly to distort and distract).
• p.73: The comment was at least poor sportsmanship. Politics is a rough sport but there are still boundaries.
• p.73: Fox News has changed the game and won it.
• p.74: Bullshitting: speaking without regard for the truth.
• p.75: Confounding: A mistake that results from taking one thing to be another. Confounding is when a variable influences both the dependent and independent variables, causing a spurious (dubious or fallacious) association.

Reference