Maybe I didn’t convey the meaning I wanted to. The reason I wrote this article was because I was called intolerant for merely pointing out that, given that I strongly believe X, I also strongly believe those who believe non-X to be mistaken. Merely noticing the link is enough to be called intolerant. This is nuts. Human, I know, but nuts nevertheless. Consistency is not intolerance.
I perfectly understand that I can be mistaken about X (infinite certainty, biases, and all that). I just can’t stand when people disagree and see no problem whatsoever. Then when I point out that there is a problem, I am called intolerant. I suppose people believe I want to force them to my side. Factual opinions are not utility functions, but people keep forgetting that. As if changing your mind meant you lost. Actually, you usually win when you do that.
I do understand that we, as imperfect humans, can agree to disagree. But not on principle. I’m okay with admitting that at present, trying to resolve the disagreement doesn’t seem worth the trouble, but we should at least reckon there is a problem.
The bottom line is, when there is disagreement, and one cares about truth, then there is a problem. This problem may, or may not, be worth solving, but pretending everyone can have contradictory opinions that should never be attacked is just weak.
Maybe I didn’t convey the meaning I wanted to. The reason I wrote this article was because I was called intolerant for merely pointing out that, given that I strongly believe X, I also strongly believe those who believe non-X to be mistaken. Merely noticing the link is enough to be called intolerant. This is nuts. Human, I know, but nuts nevertheless. Consistency is not intolerance.
I perfectly understand that I can be mistaken about X (infinite certainty, biases, and all that). I just can’t stand when people disagree and see no problem whatsoever. Then when I point out that there is a problem, I am called intolerant. I suppose people believe I want to force them to my side. Factual opinions are not utility functions, but people keep forgetting that. As if changing your mind meant you lost. Actually, you usually win when you do that.
I do understand that we, as imperfect humans, can agree to disagree. But not on principle. I’m okay with admitting that at present, trying to resolve the disagreement doesn’t seem worth the trouble, but we should at least reckon there is a problem.
The bottom line is, when there is disagreement, and one cares about truth, then there is a problem. This problem may, or may not, be worth solving, but pretending everyone can have contradictory opinions that should never be attacked is just weak.
Of course, we should never attack people.