Blackpill Aesthetic Injustice by Bjørn Hofmann

[Lazyandtalentless]

Aesthetic Injustice - Journal of Business Ethics

In business as elsewhere, “ugly people” are treated worse than ”pretty people.” Why is this so? This article investigates the ethics of aesthetic injustice by addressing four questions: 1. What is aesthetic injustice? 2. How does aesthetic injustice play out? 3. What are the characteristics that...

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Aesthetic Injustice: An Ethical Examination​

Introduction​

In his article "Aesthetic Injustice," published in the Journal of Business Ethics on March 31, 2023, Bjørn Hofmann examines the ethical implications of unfair treatment based on individuals' physical appearance. He introduces the term aesthetic injustice to describe various forms of discrimination arising from aesthetic judgments.

Defining Aesthetic Injustice​

Hofmann defines aesthetic injustice as the unfair treatment of individuals due to their physical appearance. This concept includes both negative treatment of those deemed unattractive and preferential treatment of those considered attractive. By establishing this term, Hofmann provides a comprehensive framework that unites various forms of appearance-based discrimination, such as lookism, heightism, and sizeism, emphasizing their moral implications.

Manifestations of Aesthetic Injustice​

Hofmann identifies several ways in which aesthetic injustice affects individuals:

• Social Exclusion and Discrimination: Those perceived as unattractive may be excluded from social groups or professional opportunities, leading to diminished social capital and career prospects.
• Stigmatization and Stereotyping: Negative stereotypes associated with physical appearance can result in prejudiced attitudes and discriminatory behaviors, further marginalizing affected individuals.
• Harassment and Bullying: Individuals deemed unattractive often face bullying or harassment in both personal and professional settings, causing psychological distress.
• Economic Disparities: Research has shown that physical appearance influences hiring decisions, salary levels, and promotion opportunities, contributing to economic inequality.

These manifestations highlight the widespread and systemic nature of aesthetic injustice across multiple aspects of life.

Physical Characteristics Leading to Unjust Treatment​

Hofmann discusses specific physical traits that frequently trigger aesthetic injustice:

• Deviation from Established Norms: Individuals who do not align with widely accepted aesthetic ideals often experience bias and unfair treatment.
• Lack of Averageness: Features that significantly diverge from the average in a population can lead to perceptions of unattractiveness.
• Asymmetry and Disproportion: Physical asymmetry or disproportionate features are often judged negatively, contributing to aesthetic bias.

These attributes demonstrate how ingrained aesthetic biases influence social interactions and opportunities.

Underlying Causes of Aesthetic Injustice​

Hofmann explores several mechanisms that perpetuate aesthetic injustice:

• Prejudice: Deep-seated biases against certain appearances result in unfair treatment. For example, individuals with obesity often face societal discrimination rooted in negative attitudes toward body weight.
• Logical Fallacies: Erroneous reasoning, such as associating unattractiveness with negative personal qualities, perpetuates aesthetic injustice. This flawed logic unjustly links physical appearance with moral or intellectual worth.
• Psychological Biases: Cognitive biases, like the halo effect, where positive traits are assumed based on appearance, result in unfair advantages for attractive individuals and disadvantages for those deemed unattractive.
• Disease-Avoidance Mechanism: Evolutionary instincts may lead people to subconsciously associate certain physical features with illness, resulting in avoidance behaviors and discrimination.

By identifying these underlying causes, Hofmann highlights the complex interplay of psychological and societal factors that sustain aesthetic injustice.

Conclusion​

Hofmann’s analysis of aesthetic injustice sheds light on a pervasive yet often overlooked form of discrimination. By defining the concept and examining its manifestations, characteristics, and underlying causes, his article calls for greater awareness and ethical consideration regarding how physical appearance influences justice and equality. Addressing aesthetic injustice requires challenging ingrained biases, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring that all individuals are treated with fairness and dignity, regardless of their appearance.

 

[Skelly]

this post was lazy and talentless

 

[Lazyandtalentless]

this post was lazy and talentless

 

[Emba]

this post was lazy yet fabulous

Fabulous!

 

[daydreamER]

Interesting post. "Aesthetic Injustice" is a cool sounding term JFL.

 

[Feeshtu]

I like the term aesthetic injustice better than the term looksism.
It sounds more profound.

I wish someone would create a similar article about the social injustice done to the mentally ill.

Our ancient ancestors were not stupid.
They knew all about looks, height and race.

It is just that we as a society chose to deny what was once common knowledge.

The ancients were also well aware of foid nature.
Which is why ancient societies tried their best to put restraints on foid behavior.