Citation

Ikegami T. Emot. Stud. 2015; 1(1): 29-35.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Japan Society for Research on Emotions)

DOI

10.20797/ems.1.1_29

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article discusses the obstacles to the realization of harmonious coexistence in a human society that purportedly advocates egalitarianism. Focusing on the issues regarding sexual minorities and empirical studies on the prejudice against them, the author argues that simplistic egalitarianism does not work well when the acceptance of dissimilar others, who embrace a totally different mentality and orientation, is associated with threats to one's established values and worldviews constituting the very basis of one's identity. Among people with such a rigid sense of identity, this evokes despisement and the desire for expulsion of the minority group. The author concludes that restructuring one's identity is a promising way to solve the problem.

Language: ja