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comment by user-inactivated
user-inactivated  ·  2888 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Julia Baird: Being Dishonest About Ugliness

If by "foible" you mean evolved preference that we can't do much about.





oyster  ·  2888 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Over emphasizing physical attractiveness is how you end up with a burnt down house and a hot ex girlfriend. It's not some evolved trait we hold, it is very much a weakness. People are going to have preferences but it shouldn't blind them from the other characteristics somebody possesses. That's what they mean by over emphasizing.

OftenBen  ·  2888 days ago  ·  link  ·  

The point is rather that being sexually attracted to physically fit, demonstrably healthy individuals with high degrees of facial/body symmetry is not a moral failing.

oyster  ·  2887 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I get that is the point they were trying to make but it didn't really fit with the comment being responded too. That one was pretty clearly talking about the weakness or "foible" of over-emphasizing physical attractiveness which isn't something we are helpless to overcome. Dating an asshole or crazy person just because they are attractive is an awful idea yet people do it all the time. It's not a moral failing either, it's just very short-sighted.