Inequality from the perspective of cognitive science

Tomc, Gregor (author)

Social inequality incorporates those differences which are emphaticaly experienced and moraly valued by the members of a community. This is true of differences which are perceived as strategic by them. Moral ranking is needed to translate biological differences of a gregarious nature into inequality of a social kind. But once cultural contents in the mind are established, it functions as an emergent, contributing on its own to various social extensions (for example profession or residential status). A significant difference exists between the two ideal-type forms of inequality. Inequalities embedded in biology are more likely to be evaluated as self-evident and non-problematic, as they represent an integral part of our experiencing of ourselves. We experience our gender and age (that is sensate, feel and think it) directly, and as a result tend to take it for granted. It is an altogether different matter when it comes to inequalities of a predominantly sociocultural kind. These are more likely to be perceived as arbitrary and as a result subject to constant contention.

• Language: English
• Work type: Not categorized
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FDV - Faculty of Social Sciences
• Year: 2000
• Number of pages: Str. 276-288
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-5514
• UDC: 316.34
• ISSN on article: 0352-3608
• COBISS.SI-ID: 20184669
• Publication date in RUL: 11.07.2014

Record is a part of a proceedings

• Title: Mechanisms of social differentiation in Slovenia
• COBISS.SI-ID: 20181597

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Družboslovne razprave
• Shortened title: Družbosl. razpr.
• Publisher: Slovensko sociološko društvo, Fakulteta za družbene vede
• ISSN: 0352-3608
• COBISS.SI-ID: 7530242