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April 21, 2006
OFF LEASH: On prejudice
"Off Leash" is an occasional column by Fiddler. Past columns can be found here.
William James, philosopher and brother of novelist Henry, wrote that many people "think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices." I take him to mean that our prejudices are so ingrained that, while we may modify them somewhat, it's difficult to dispose of them entirely.
This is true in my own life. For instance, my general feeling toward cats is one of suspicion. I have been the victim of repeated swatting and hissing -- all with little or no provocation. And yet not every cat has treated me with aggression and disdain. The neighbor's cat, Ricky, always seems pleased to see me. He rubs against my legs, purrs, and flops on his back so that I may sniff him. He seems neither threatened nor irritated by my presence.
So perhaps my anti-cat bias is unjustified. Not every last domestic feline is out to get me and the friendly neighbor cat is proof. Unless, of course, it's all part of an elaborate ruse to convince me to drop my guard so he can get in one solid, open-clawed swat.
You never know with these cats.
Posted by teb at April 21, 2006 11:15 AM