In his essay, Travis Timmerman affirms that much of the harm "which preservationists would suffer if Confederate monuments were removed crucially depends on them holding certain irrational beliefs or contemptible attitudes." On this basis, he argues that such beliefs and attitudes serves as the basis of their suffering, and as such, their suffering "matters less than the suffering endured by people whose suffering is predicated upon rational beliefs and fitting attitudes." In your essay, explain the argument that Timmerman gives to arrive at this claim. How do you think we might determine which beliefs qualify as "irrational" and which attitudes count as "contemptible?" Does your standard support or challenge Timmerman's view about Confederate monuments?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Clearly and effectively recreate the argument that Timmerman gives in defense of the claim that preservationists' suffering matters less than the suffering of those people whose beliefs and attitudes are rational
Offer a plausible description of the criteria we might employ in order to determine which attitudes and beliefs qualify as irrational and contemptible
Relate these criteria to Timmerman's argument, showing how they support or challenge his view as it relates to the Confederate monument debate

In His Essay, Travis Timmerman Affirms That Much of the Harm