Essentialism serves the rationalizing function of stereotypes more than accuracy does

Evidence

Beginnings, which was produced before Said had thought of reinventing himself as the defender of Islam against stereotypes and generalizations, contains some remarkable instances of just that sort of thing, for example: ‘It is significant that the desire to create an alternative world, to modify, or augment the real world through the act of writing… is inimical to the Islamic world-view.’ While on the subject of stereotypes, it is worth considering whether it is possible or even desirable to dispense with them altogether. As a leading mathematician has pointed out: ‘many stereotypes permit the economy of expression necessary for rapid communication and effective functioning. Chair is a stereotype, but one never hears complaints from bar stools, recliners, bean bags, art deco pieces, high-back dining-room varieties, precious antiques, chaises longues, or kitchen instances of the notion.’ — Robert Irwin, For Lust of Knowing, 505 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Stereotype rationalizations are tautologically essentialist and self-contradictory yet retained — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1371; Stereotypes can enable efficient thought rather than only distort it — Robert Irwin, For Lust of Knowing: The Orientalists…, 505; Essentialist stereotypes justify unequal resource distribution rather than reflecting real differences — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 1390 (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• Stereotypes can enable efficient thought rather than only distort it #complicates (0.78) — Robert Irwin, For Lust of Knowing, 505