Logical & Critical Thinking

with Professor Logic

Intolerance toward the intolerant

January 2, 2012

Is it hypocritical to be intolerant toward the intolerant? I think the answer is ‘no’ and here’s why. Tolerance is a noun while tolerant is an adjective. However the true essence of tolerance and being tolerant is a verb, it is an action one integrates into their daily life. If a person is tolerant in regards to intolerance they are actually not tolerant. Here we can see we are actually missing a word to describe tolerance in a verb form.

“Toleranting”

Toleranting is the action of incorporating tolerance into your life. This means to have a tolerant society we must practice promoting the condition of tolerance in society by “toleranting”. When we encounter intolerance we have to start toleranting. This means we are not going to accept intolerance because of living and practicing toleranting.

Tolerance vs Intolerance

These concepts are very much absolutes. They cannot exist as a condition of a thing at the same time. A person might be comprised of tolerant and intolerant specific beliefs yet having intolerant attributes means one is not wholly tolerant thus failing to reach the moral quality of tolerance.

Seeking higher personal morality with tolerant view points

When we seek a higher moral standing we are plunged into having to face opposing ideas and viewpoints. How we handle these will determine who we are. Tolerance means accepting world views different from our own except those views that seek to destroy the philosophy of tolerance itself. Maybe calling it intolerance is wrong rather than calling it what it really is “hate produced from insecurity. I can live next to a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or anyone so long as they feel they can live next to me.

  • http://twitter.com/vitasfan Diane

    I am enjoying your website very much, though it seems to be filled with examples to promote some of your personal beliefs. :) However, I cannot quite agree with this section. And before I say why, I must say that I consider myself tolerant…to an extreme. I am tolerant even to the intolerant IF they base their intolerance on religious conviction. While I do not agree with them, I “tolerate” their right to believe differently than I do. I think that is the fundamental basis of tolerance and religious freedom. Of course, I do not tolerate violence or illegal actions because of intolerance. But I think that people should not be hated just because they persist to believe what they believe. Therefore, I think I tolerate intolerance. I do not agree that it is always “hate produced from insecurity.” I think sometimes it is genuine religious conviction – however misguided we may think it is. So I think it is hypocritical to be intolerant toward the intolerant…at least to their right to believe as they do. None of us should tolerate violence or oppression for any reason. Okay, so since I won’t tolerate violence and oppression, if the intolerant further violence and oppression, did I just prove myself wrong? :)

    • Victoria

      I don’t see a response. You have some good viewpoints. I would like to hear feedback from the professor on your post too.