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[–] 0 points 1 month ago (2 children)

https://sh.itjust.works/comment/27791546

Cold linking the wiki article (with tracking intact no less) isn't much of a reply

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago (1 child)

    Too much for you to read, huh?

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  • [–] 1 point 1 day ago

    Did you read it or understand it? Social media butchers & misrepresents the paradox, argument, and basic definition of (in)tolerance as used in political philosophy. Tolerance is acceptance that permits an objectionable position or practice despite considering it wrong. Intolerance is a rejection that doesn't permit, ie, literally prohibits. Here's the full passage partly quoted in the article

    [Less well known is the paradox of tolerance: Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them.—In this formulation, I do not imply, for instance, that we should always suppress the utterance of intolerant philosophies; as long as we can counter them by rational argument and keep them in check by public opinion, suppression would certainly be most unwise.] But we should claim the right to suppress them [intolerant ideologies] if necessary even by force; for it may easily turn out that they are not prepared to meet us on the level of rational argument, but begin by denouncing all argument; they may forbid their followers to listen to rational argument, because it is deceptive, and teach them to answer arguments by the use of their fists or pistols.

    The type of intolerance they refer to is the kind that uses unjustified force and refuses debate. They even explicitly reject that we should in general "suppress the utterance of intolerant philosophies" as long as rational argument & public opinion can still govern public choice.

    The philosopher who articulated the paradox was defending an open society that protects intellectual freedom & open discourse, not arguing for a society to limit it. They were also talking about systems of government.

    None of that pertains to a civil disagreement lacking imposition of force: by definition the person in disagreement is tolerant, so it's not a case of "tolerating the intolerant". The paradox doesn't apply.

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