I disagree that intent has anything to do with virtue signaling. People frequently are driven by their subconscious, especially in matters of tribal belonging.
There is a delicious irony in questioning the motivations of someone who is questioning your motivations.
>I disagree that intent has anything to do with virtue signaling
This is the very first sentence on Wikipedia: "Virtue signalling is the act of expressing opinions or stances that align with popular moral values, often through social media, with the intent of demonstrating one's good character."
Unless we share a common understanding of the term, we can't have a meaningful discussion about it.
>There is a delicious irony in questioning the motivations of someone who is questioning your motivations.
I'm not sure why it is ironic. Instead, it seems evident that by bringing up other people's motivations, we are revealing something about what we think motivates people to act, and thus about our own motivation to act.
Accusing somebody of virtue signaling provides evidence for the accuser's way of thinking, but not for the accused's.
I disagree that intent has anything to do with virtue signaling. People frequently are driven by their subconscious, especially in matters of tribal belonging.
There is a delicious irony in questioning the motivations of someone who is questioning your motivations.