Thread by @ethannichtern

We need to stop pretending our political views aren’t influenced heavily by our views of human nature.

If you believe humans are basically good, and capable of wisdom, you cultivate that view through more progressive policy choices. You also want, more and more, to care for those you don’t know, those who don’t look or love like you do.

If you believe humans are wicked, you cultivate that view through more fear-based choices, especially fear of the “other” - those who don’t look or love like you.

Conservative views arose from fearfully defending against humanity.

We need to recognize that our political views are entirely grounded in our spiritual and psychological understanding of what it means to be human.