Are tolerant people becoming intolerant?
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There exists thoughtful discourse on the notion of tolerant people becoming intolerant. Experts argue that the paradox of tolerance plays a significant role in this issue.
, on the , discusses this paradox through philosopher Karl Popper’s perspective, suggesting that unlimited tolerance can ultimately lead to the destruction of tolerance itself. If a society tolerates the intolerant without defense, eventually the intolerant will dominate and eliminate the tolerant 1.
In a conversation on the , elaborates on Herbert Marcusa's concept of "Repressive Tolerance." Marcusa argues that to sustain a liberating type of tolerance, it’s necessary to be intolerant of those who are intolerant, such as conservatives in his view. Knowles highlights that this selective tolerance is paradoxically intolerant towards dissenting views in an effort to protect society 2.
on the suggests that the push for absolute tolerance erodes personal standards and boundaries, framing it as a psychological operation that leads to societal decay. This push can result in an over-tolerant society devoid of critical standards, potentially susceptible to manipulation 3.
These discussions underscore the complexity of maintaining a tolerant society and highlight the inherent contradictions that arise when tolerance is pushed to its extreme against intolerant elements.
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