One way people try to show that they are open-minded is to let both sides of an issue have a say. However, sometimes both sides don’t need to have air time. Some debates are better when both – or all, in case there is really more than one point of view – sides get a fair hearing. On the other hand, sometimes one side is clearly in the right and the other clearly in the wrong. Only wisdom and careful examination will reveal which sides deserve respect.
Consider slavery. Do you think that those who defend this “peculiar institution” really deserve a say? If you have a grain if humanity in you, then you agree that no person deserves to be chattel. Everybody deserves to be paid for work, and paid a living wage.
Or how about whether Earth is round or flat? There is no question our planet is round, though not a perfect sphere. The ancient Greeks established our world’s roundness, and their calculations of its size came within a few percentage points of the truth. Irrefutable evidence abounds that Earth is round. I could write a long essay detailing much of the proof, as well as shredding many arguments in favor of a flat planet. The 3D shape of this planet cannot be disputed.
Liberals tend to let those who disagree with them have a say. I say tend to because they are not always as tolerant as they claim to be. Then again, tolerance must have limits. Do we really need to tolerate racism, LGBTQ-phobia, anti-semitism, sexism, willful ignorance? Do we really have to tolerate those who advocate violence against those who disagree with them?
Minds are indeed like parachutes – they function only when open, but if they are too far open the wind blows right through. Both sides of a dispute do not always need a fair hearing, if one side is unquestionably unethical, hateful, ignorant or immoral. Some views really do not need to be tolerated.
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