The principle that controversial or objectionable views ought not to be suppressed, but rather shown to be wrong through reasoned debate, is usually defended only when a man is under the impression that those views have little reason in their favour. So much for magnanimity!
A bit contentious, that, I'd say. In
ReplyDeletethis piece I mention an example of intolerance by left-wing students. Even then I found myself to the right of these bigots and quite wanted to hear for myself what the man had to say: though my prejudices, formed from reading the newspaper, suggested that I would disagree with him.
Mind you, I make no claims for magnanimity.
principle, old thing.
ReplyDeleteMr Fuller,
ReplyDeleteI am suggesting that magnanimity does not usually lie behind the principle. Of course, there are genuinely magnanimous people; they're just much rarer than the commonness of the principle might suggest.
Dearieme,
Ach! I beg your pardon. The error is now corrected.
I shall go without supper.