[Ayn Rand. Is objectivism autism rebranded? Um...no.]Thanks to Kim Wombles, I have come across the following from Sam Harris (yes, that Sam Harris):
The result was Objectivism—a view that makes a religious fetish of selfishness and disposes of altruism and compassion as character flaws. If nothing else, this approach to ethics was a triumph of marketing, as Objectivism is basically autism rebranded.
Really? Kim sent him an email saying what probably is obvious to anyone who knows someone with autism, but Imma say it here:
Autistic people do not make a religious fetish of selfishness or dismiss altruism or compassion as character flaws. I'd think that a neuroscientist might be aware of what underlies autism and how it is manifested, but evidently, that is not the case. I would think that a well-educated, aware human being wouldn't take a neural difference or disability and use it as fodder for mockery, but evidently, that also was not the case. I would think that for someone who purports to lay the humanist groundwork for what qualifies as morality, mockery of a specific population of people who are "different" because of their neurology might be considered, well, immoral, but evidently, that is also not the case.
For anyone...Sam Harris, whose writings I usually admire, others who think that autistic people focus only on themselves or lack a sense of altruism, I refer you to the following about my own autistic child. I'm sure that the most minimal research into other stories or simply talking to an autistic person would provide further enlightenment.
9 comments:
Man, that's annoying.
Harris has said things that have alarmed me before, so this didn't come as quite the shock that Richard Dawkins's recent sexist outburst (I had thought of him as a really kind, genteel, pro-feminist guy ... still do, pretty much, but he can prone to Not Getting It, and then vociferously denying that he's not getting it).
But it does surprise me somewhat that Harris would make a stupid, insulting comment about a neurological condition, since he is a neuroscientist. You'd think he'd know autism isn't like that ...
(Anyway, I've been collecting examples of Autism As Metaphor for my blog --- I find it being used over and over to describe selfish, regressive political philosophies. Guess I'll add this one to the collection!)
Rather than only focus on himself my son is hopelessly dependent on others. Left to his own devices he is aimless and bereft of ideas for entertaining himself. This manifests in burst of destruction in order to get attention, and some direction or idea of what to do with himself. He needs, and demands the attention of others.
Very well said, Emily.
I just sent the following message to Sam Harris, via his blog:
Sent: 2011 08 26
Dear Sam,
I found myself cheering as I read your latest piece "How to Lose Readers (Without Even Trying)" until I came across the following:
"The result was Objectivism—a view that makes a religious fetish of selfishness and disposes of altruism and compassion as character flaws. If nothing else, this approach to ethics was a triumph of marketing, as Objectivism is basically autism rebranded."
In these two sentences, you have added to the dehumanizing and destructive mythology that autistic people are selfish and lacking in both altruism and compassion. I am here to tell you that such is not the case. I am an autistic woman who has worked for social justice all my life, who is employed as a caregiver to a disabled child, and who has always suffered when others suffer.
If you would like to hear the words of other autistic people, autism parents, and autism professionals on this question, please feel free to take a look at my site, Autism and Empathy: Dispelling Myths and Breaking Stereotypes, at www.autismandempathy.com.
I respectfully request that, given their potential to cause harm to autistic people and autism families, you remove the offending lines from your post.
All the best,
Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg
He should have used the word "narcissism" instead of "autism," because that seems to be the intent of his meaning.
Thank you, Emily and Rachel, for calling Sam Harris on this. Both well written.
M. Scott Peck was another impressively enlightened person who really insultingly/unfortunately conflated narcissism and autism. Truthseeker's right--he means narcissism.
If anything, I've seen many NTs dismiss altruism or compassion as a flaw. Saying the person possessing these characteristics, is oversentive. If anything people who have Autism, and know what it's like to experience daily prejudice, have more capicity for compassion, then those who are "normal".
Thank you for your insightful posts. I am a college English teacher and mom to an 8 year old son with autism, and I've recently entered the blogoshpere. I am excited to start following your blog!
It's unsettling how people use "autism" as shorthand. I agree with your assessment and all the comments here that call Harris on his unsophisticated use of such shorthand.
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