Must we contradict the essence of acceptance itself for a better world??

@James72 (26790)
Australia
February 3, 2008 8:56am CST
I have been watching with interest the various discussions related to religion and the branching out of zealots that choose to focus on aspects of each belief system that further their respective causes rather than on the belief system as a whole. It was while reading further information regarding a particular post that I stumbled across the following reference: "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 unwise. But we should claim the right to suppress them 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. We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant." -- Karl Popper, The Open Society and Its Enemies, Vol. I, Chapter. 7, n.4, at 265. I find this statement both contradictory yet thought provoking nonetheless. Even though I have chosen to place this topic in religion, the statement is most certainly not limited to religion alone. It is an interesting philosophy to consider the embracing of intolerance in order to ultimately ensure tolerance! I would be interested to hear other viewpoints regarding Karl Popper's statement. Especially from those that are debating so furiously in regards to Islam, Christianity and other religions.....
4 people like this
1 response
• United States
3 Feb 08
Thank you so much for posting this. I could not agree more. We absolutely should not tolerate the intolerant. I think this should apply to religion, business, and politics. Religion: Any religion that claims to have the absolute final all knowing TRUTH is lying. No one on this side of life really knows the TRUTH. No one. Therefore those religions intolerant of any other are merely tryanical in nature and desiring to be dictatorial. All people should reject this kind of intolerance. Business: Businesses intolerant of others in the same business are desiring to be a monopoly. All people should reject this kind of intolerance. Politics: Intolerance in Politics is the tool of would be dictators and police states. All people should reject this kind of intolerance. I think Karl Popper was a very smart man.
2 people like this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
4 Feb 08
I was hoping that you would notice this post! ;) It is a sad situation to realize that we must actually be intolerant of those that choose to take freedom of speech and free will too far; a necessary evil I guess you could call it. As much as we would like to think that we are mostly accepting of others; even well known sayings like "I may not agree with what you are saying but I will fight for your right to say it.... (sic)"; are fine in theory but just not practical anymore. Thanks for responding and for expanding further in relation to business and politics. I couldn't agree more.