On 6/3/21 7:15 PM, Leslie wrote:
> And as for the Tolerance Paradox, remember that actions are very different from words; you can safely let people say whatever they want to while insisting that there are *actions* we won't tolerate. Where's the problem in understanding that? I'm honestly more worried about the kind of people who can't understand it, who claim that either words are "dangerous" or that "silence is violence", because such folk are dangerously out of touch with reality. Heaven help us when such folk get into positions of real power, when they really can summon up armies to enforce their orders. It's bad enough when they have enough economic power to rob others of their livelihoods. It's distinctly annoying when they have enough political or economic power to shut down or censor public gatherings, such as conventions.
Well put. The so-called "tolerance paradox," as I think I mentioned
before, comes from an overwrought reading of a footnote in Popper's _The
Open Society and Its Enemies_. It's a pair of books very much worth
reading, but the footnote is obviously something Popper dashed off
without his usual level of careful thought. Such things happen in
everyone's work, and it's unfortunate when people pounce on them to
build dogmas.
It's worth saying a few things about tolerance. First, the word implies
that it's directed at something wrong or bad. You don't "tolerate" good
attributes, and someone who merely tolerates differences in appearance
needs to learn to do better. It implies a lesser reaction, not no reaction.
Example: I think the idea that you'll burn in Hell forever for not
believing in Jesus is a bad idea. I'll say so, but I won't scream at
people or beat them up for believing it.
In the political realm, tolerance of speech means not answering it by
force. The basic reason for this is that you can't arrive at truth
through superior force. Putting people in jail for their ideas doesn't
convince them that they're wrong, only that they're facing powerful enemies.
Another reason is that bad ideas can be answered by reason. A bad idea
is one which is untenable and irrational. While there are short-term
exceptions, good ideas beat bad ones in the realm of debate, and no one
has to decree in advance which ones are the good ones.
The "paradox of tolerance" people have no confidence in the power of
reason but full confidence in the power of coercion. They think that
reason will lose in a fair debate. They think that that if authorities
have the power to suppress ideas, they'll suppress the bad ones. Have
they ever read a history book?
The people who are terrified of a society with free speech are terrified
of people. They place their bet with a powerful elite that — they hope
— will uphold the ideas they like and suppress the rabble that would
destroy society if unapproved ideas aren't suppressed.
I've written a song about this mindset:
Lullaby for a Benevolent Despot
Words: Gary McGath, Copyright 2005, 2017
Music: T. J. Burnside Clapp, "Lullaby for a Weary World"
I wonder how my world can live with all her different factions.
Let me rule the world.
And I'm scared of all that people do and how they often come to blows,
And I wish the power to change it all could rest within my hands.
I've seen her people dying for such bold and bloody causes.
Let me rule the world.
For the bodies of the innocent are crushed by hist'ry's turning wheel,
And I want to bring it to a halt before it turns again.
Chorus:
Oh, give me the power to rule my weary world.
Give me a charming voice to soothe those who distrust.
Make my arms strong enough to stop those who resist.
And make me a government so pure and fine
That it will bring this weary world some peace.
I'd like to legislate away each ling'ring cause of hatred.
Let me rule the world.
And although I'd have to break some eggs, that's how you make an omelet,
For when I'd put down all resistance, peace would reign again.
Bridge:
And if her fighting will not stop, I'll send the troops to stop it,
And sing my song of peace above the noise and pain of war.
And if the violence still won't end, I might curtail some freedoms,
But you know I'll give them back. Yes, I swear I'll give them back.
And if my plan should go all wrong, I'll answer in the darkness.
Let me rule the world.
And pray a tender god will grant forgiveness for all that I've done
And grant the world I tried to rescue one more chance to live.
May God please forgive me, for I did it all for love.
Final chorus:
Oh, take back the power to rule my weary world.
Take back the charming voice that soothed those who distrust.
Take back the deadly arms to stop those who resist.
And take back the fantasy so foul and mad
That I could force this weary world to peace.