THE PARADOX OF TOLERANCE
Something that´s been going back and forth in my mind for a while is the dilemma of freedom of speech and the presence of openly racist political parties and organisations at different venues in Sweden.
If you defend freedom of speech, one of the founding pillars of democracy, how can you say that someone is not allowed to state their opinion? You know?
My spontanious answer was that racists should not be allowed to freely spread their propaganda and be invited to some of the most important events in the nation.
However, I couldn´t really back it up. I didn´t know how to get around the fact that I do support freedom of speech, and still want them out of the conversation.
Up until now!
When I saw this very clear and very very accurate illustration of the "paradox of tolerance", I could finally back up my opinion.
I´m gonna write it here too, because this needs to be repeated. If you ever find yourself in a discussion on this subject - save the picture below and show it! Discuss it.
"Should a tolerant society tolerante intolerance? The answer is no.
It´s a paradox, but unlimited tolerance can lead to the extinction of tolerance.
When we extend tolerance to those who are openly intolerant... the tolerant ones end up being destroyed. And tolerance with them.
Any movement that preaches intolerance and persecution must be outside of the law.
As paradoxal as it may seem, defending tolerance...requires to NOT tolerate the intolerant.
