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I'm curious about something in connection with this thread. What distinguishes appropriate forms of 'isms' from inappropriate forms? What I mean is, I assume we all think racism, sexism, etc. are bad. Some of us probably think that some sort of nationalism is good. And most if not all of us think that we should to some extent prefer our family to strangers. So what makes some preferences good and some bad?
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"Die Deutschen meinen, daß die Kraft sich in Härte und Grausamkeit offenbaren müsse, sie unterwerfen sich dann gerne und mit Bewunderung:[...]. Daß es Kraft giebt in der Milde und Stille, das glauben sie nicht leicht."
"The Germans believe that power must reveal itself in hardness and cruelty and then submit themselves gladly and with admiration[...]. They do not believe readily that there is power in meekness and calm."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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