TOLERANCE vs ABSOLUTES
TOLERANCE Vs ABSOLUTES
INTRODUCTION
Given the current state of world affairs, perhaps it is time to consider the question of tolerance.
Social attitudes have become increasing polarised of late. Increasingly our world is divided by extreme points of view - creation vs. evolution; anti-abortionist vs. pro-choice; small-scale terrorism vs. state terrorism. Increasingly public debate is divided by radically opposing values and ideas.
This extreme of attitudes, I believe, is created by an absolute view of the world.
This absolute implies a single, unconditional view of reality. It implies that ‘this is THE truth’, or ‘this is THE way of doing things’ and that all other ways are wrong or otherwise flawed. A black and white view is imposed on the world and all things are placed neatly into categories with ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ labels assigned to each.
When we embrace an absolute view of matters we effectively declare to the world: “I am right and anyone who disagrees with me is wrong”; we declare the opinions of others to be less worthy or less deserving of consideration.
This absolute mindset has polarised public debate and narrowed the terms of reference about a wide range of topics.
I believe this absolute mindset is an arrogant and conceited position to adopt. It not only assumes a superior understanding of a given matter, but even more troubling is that it involves devaluing the opinions of others. At its heart this mindset lacks compassion and tolerance.
So what alternatives are there?
RECOGNISE THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS
To build a greater sense of tolerance we must recognise that personal differences mark us out as individuals.
These differences are neither right nor wrong, but are part of what makes us unique. Being different is not a crime but an individual right; it is part of our individual freedom to express ourselves honestly and to act according to our own values and beliefs.
Recognising this is the first step to establishing a genuine attitude of tolerance for others.
It engenders in us a greater acceptance of diversity in life and helps us to understand the complexity and subtlety of human nature. Without this understanding our view of the world is reduced or over-simplified into black and white terms.
LIVE AND LET LIVE
Once the differences between us have been recognised, we can work towards acceptance of this.
Identifying something at a cognitive level is one thing, finding a practical means of expressing this realisation is another. In this sense, recognition and acceptance are not the same.
Claiming the freedom to live our lives as we wish requires that we extend the same freedom to others. We must accept that others have a right to pursue their lives also. Adopting a live and let live attitude affords us the opportunity to practice what we preach and is the key to building a greater sense of tolerance.
PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT
When we feel emotionally or physically insecure we are less inclined to recognise the needs of others.
Feelings of fear and insecurity can cause us to withdraw from the world and focus on our own needs. This withdrawal prevents us from engaging with others and listening to their experiences.
When we feel personally empowered, on the other hand, we have a greater sense of confidence in ourselves and we are less likely to feel threatened by the behaviour of others or by different opinions. A high level of personal self-confidence provides a solid emotional grounding and affords us a safe place from which to view the events surrounding us.
We can then be more tolerant and understanding because we have the wherewithal to listen.
LISTEN TO OTHERS
To understand another person’s point of view requires us to listen.
Listening provides us a chance to hear what life is like for others and to better appreciate the challenges they face. Without this appreciation we cannot form a balanced and rounded perception of others and we also cannot have an informed opinion regarding them.
Genuinely listening to someone requires more than simply not talking. We need to set aside our own responses and reactions, so that we can focus instead upon the words and meanings being spoken by others. Actively listening to others is easier said than done and requires regular practice. It is a skill that can only be acquired by patience and repeated use.
AVOID AGENDAS
One of the greatest inhibitors of tolerance is when people adopt a set agenda or are driven by political or religious doctrine.
A doctrine is often a mechanism for controlling the way people think and act; it is a means of manipulating their behaviour. Allowing doctrinal ideas and values to shape our behaviour prevents us from accessing our individual truth and, in fact, denies us our right to choose our own ideas and values.
When we pursue a political or religious agenda we are bound by the limits of that agenda and are prevented from taking alternate ideas and opinions into account. This approach narrows our terms of reference and limits our freedom to hear a wider range of views.
Having sympathy for a particular movement or belief system should never come at the expense of our individual freedom. It should never prevent us from remaining true to ourselves.
CONCLUSION
Each of us has a right to our opinions, but what we do not have is the right to force our opinions onto others.
Having a particular view of life is one thing, seeking to impose that view on others is called evangelism. Evangelism is an extreme form of intolerance; it is a view of the world that says: ‘I am absolutely right and you are absolutely wrong, full stop’!
Achieving a tolerant attitude towards others requires that we are metered in our response to their differences. We need to be confident and emotionally balanced. A firm emotional foundation empowers us to hear and consider the opinions of others in an unbiased manner. Hearing alternate points of view informs our understanding so that our perception of the world becomes more rounded.
This heightened perception helps us to accommodate those differences which might otherwise divide us and prevent us from having empathy for others.
Copyright© R J Poole 2009
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