Tolerance

Now this was an interesting discussion we had in my philosophy class the other day, and I wanted to see what other people thought of it.

We were talking about how there are people out there who say that they are tolerant of everything. But once they come across someone who isn't, they get all defensive and say how the other person is wrong for being intolerant -- in other words, they're being intolerant themselves. So my question is, is it possible for someone to be TRULY tolerant?

You can't be tolerant of everything. Some opinions are just plain wrong and should NOT have to be tolerated. Such as Skinheads, or other racist ideas.

However, there's a difference between being intolerant because of someones skin color or sexual orientation and not liking certain ideas that are blatantly wrong.

I agree with BackFire--being intolerent for stupid, petty reasons like race is stupid. But there are some pretty damn stupid people out there who have opinions that don't even deserve my time.

Originally posted by BackFire
You can't be tolerant of everything. Some opinions are just plain wrong and should NOT have to be tolerated. Such as Skinheads, or other racist ideas.

However, there's a difference between being intolerant because of someones skin color or sexual orientation and not liking certain ideas that are blatantly wrong.

Good point.

I used to really not like the term "Tolerance" because I thought it implied separation between the tolerator and the toleratee. It seemed to me that if those who simply tolerated people would take the time and effort to except and understand others point of view, it would raise our collective state of consciousness. As I get older, this seems very idealistic...but still a beautiful thought.

If people have to be tolerant, then they must also be tolerant of your intolerance towards some of their actions.

People can be tolerant, but that does not mean that they can't have opinions about things.

It depends how you describe 'tolerance' or 'intolerance'. Do disregard the thoughts and opinions of anyone you meet who is black/female/disabled simply because they are black/female/disabled is intolerance. But if there is a black female disabled person who you know has stupid opinions, is it still intolerance when you dismiss what she has to say?

I say intolerance is when you dimiss what someone has to say before you even listened to them.

The way i've always looked at it is this:

If a gay person has the right to be gay, then a homophobic person has a right to be homophobic

"I am non-violent with those who are non-violent with me" - Malcolm X

Very similar to this quote...

"I am tolerant of those who are willing to tolerate others" - Turbo-Cajun

If people have an open mind, act peacefully, and are willing to coexist with those who disagree with them I don't care what you believe, really... (common sense rule applies here)

If you cant accept others who are different from you... your an ignorant piece of shit, its not worth my time talking to you.

The difference between a gay person and a homophobic is that the gay person does not infringe upon anyone else rights... a homophobe does.

Originally posted by Turbo-Cajun
The difference between a gay person and a homophobic is that the gay person does not infringe upon anyone else rights... a homophobe does.

I dont see how having their own opinion infringes upon the rights of others. They cant help it if they feel that way

Originally posted by eleveninches
I dont see how having their own opinion infringes upon the rights of others. They cant help it if they feel that way

I can see your point there. We wouldn't be human if we didn't display or at least feel emotions (i.e. feelings) its just each person will display their emotions/feelings differently from the next, for instance a gay couple kiss in public and a homophobic takes offense to this and kicks up a scene who is in the wrong ?

THey dont have to kick up a scene to believe that it is wrong. They might not have a right to do anything about it, but that doesn't mean that they dont have a right to think that it is wrong or to refuse to accept it.

In my personal opinion everyone has a right to their own thoughts and feelings, its just becomes a taboo subject when certain of those thoughts/feelings are brought out in public, thats what most people are brinking on in this topic.

I think what's important is that you are tolerant of the RIGHT things.

No one is asking that a man SHOULD be tolerant if another man is for example, racist to him. Although some people can be tolerant, it's a bit of a stretch to ask for tolerance there.

If someone is just being a bit mouthy or annoying, it's easy in my opinion to be tolerant with them or at least find ways of shutting them up.

-AC

Tolerance of opinions is possible. But I don't think certain actions should be tolerated like attacking people who are different in some way than you (race, religion, etc.).

Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
I think what's important is that you are tolerant of the RIGHT things.

No one is asking that a man SHOULD be tolerant if another man is for example, racist to him. Although some people can be tolerant, it's a bit of a stretch to ask for tolerance there.

If someone is just being a bit mouthy or annoying, it's easy in my opinion to be tolerant with them or at least find ways of shutting them up.

-AC

thumbup

So are you saying that you should be only tolerant of people that you agree with or find aceptable.

What you are saying is that you can tolerate anybody except for those that are intolerable.

You contradict yourself.

I'm saying tolerance applies differently to each person and there are things that I accept, are intolerable to some, yet may not be intolerable to me.

For example, if someone was racist to a white guy, that white guy may go nuts. Rightly so, racism is intolerable. However, if someone was racist to me, I can shrug it off. Coz as intolerable a thing that it is, I deal with it differently. Kinda difficult to explain but by no means a contradiction.

-AC

11inches -

To use your earlier example or tolerance/intolerance:

Homophobes = hate gays because they exist

Homosexuals = wants to exist with out discrimination

There is a major difference in the validity of these opinions... if you cant see the difference between these two positions, I can try again later.

Yea but as long as someone isnt openly homophobic and doesnt act upon their feelings, i dont see a problem with a person being homophobic. Its only when someone starts discriminating against other people because of something that they are unable to control that i find them intolerable.