http://blog.paulmckeever.ca/2009/03/27/a-short-note-on-tolerance-and-sanction/ Reality, Reason, Self, Consent, Capitalism Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:26:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 http://blog.paulmckeever.ca/2009/03/27/a-short-note-on-tolerance-and-sanction/comment-page-1/#comment-442 Mike Spencer Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:16:29 +0000 http://blog.paulmckeever.ca/?p=698#comment-442 It always seems odd to see politicians say harsh things about their opponents, but when they meet for a debate they become civil. I was reminded of this when I read "smiling & shaking the hand of ones philosophical opponents to demonstrate civility". I agree that that is not good, & is disingenuous. But to say a person cannot be "good, well intentioned or nice" if they are altruistic is too general a statement. Some altruists may not be any of those things, but some could be those things in certain areas of their lives. If perfection is required to be good, then I would be put in the unfortunate position of agreeing with theists who say all are sinners. And nobody could be considered rational unless they have been perfectly rational in every aspect of their lives. You mention various situations where evil people have done nice things. That very distinction proves that people can be good & evil in various parts of their lives. Now if you mean "pure evil" to mean overwhelmingly evil, as in the case of Hitler, that could be reasonably argued. But I am sure these people with whom you "get absolutely nowhere" are not overwhelmingly evil as Hitler. And are you more likely to get somewhere with them if you do call them evil? I very much enjoy your insights & videos. Especially in these times when the political world seems to be shifting so far left. Please keep it up. Mike It always seems odd to see politicians say harsh things about their opponents, but when they meet for a debate they become civil. I was reminded of this when I read “smiling & shaking the hand of ones philosophical opponents to demonstrate civility”. I agree that that is not good, & is disingenuous.
But to say a person cannot be “good, well intentioned or nice” if they are altruistic is too general a statement. Some altruists may not be any of those things, but some could be those things in certain areas of their lives. If perfection is required to be good, then I would be put in the unfortunate position of agreeing with theists who say all are sinners. And nobody could be considered rational unless they have been perfectly rational in every aspect of their lives.
You mention various situations where evil people have done nice things. That very distinction proves that people can be good & evil in various parts of their lives. Now if you mean “pure evil” to mean overwhelmingly evil, as in the case of Hitler, that could be reasonably argued. But I am sure these people with whom you “get absolutely nowhere” are not overwhelmingly evil as Hitler. And are you more likely to get somewhere with them if you do call them evil?
I very much enjoy your insights & videos. Especially in these times when the political world seems to be shifting so far left. Please keep it up.
Mike

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