Freedom is should be a vitally important thing to liberals, but it is not the only important thing. I notice a tendency for some classical liberals and those on the more libertarian end to think that ethical evaluation ends at "Did you choose to do this freely?"
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I am speaking of those things people must have the right to make their own choices about. "Because I have the right to" is not an ethical rationale for thinking, saying, doing a thing. There needs to be more than this.
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And, of course, I am not saying we have the right to demand people justify themselves or that "calling out" people we disagree with is a helpful thing to do. But I think we can continue to discuss issues generally beyond the point of "Freedom of expression/belief" etc
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"Why did you say that same sex marriage is bad" is not answered by "Freedom of speech." Why do you support gender-specific modesty codes" is not answered by "Freedom of belief." The freedom to say that & believe that are non-negotiable but there continue to be ethical issues.
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I feel like when it comes to those who can be considered liberal in the original sense (ie not synonymous with lefties) there is a spectrum with a highly moralistic call-out culture at one end and a laissez faire cultural libertarianism at the other.
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I am not entirely sure myself where the balance should be. Among the people I respect, there are some who think I lean too far towards tolerating intolerance & and some who think I need to lighten up a bit & stop scolding.
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I think I might have to write a thing about this and try to work it out as I go along. I'm inclined to think holding consistent liberal principles, separating the right to choose from the rightness of choice & challenging bad ideas rather than calling out individuals are all key.
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Replying to @HPluckrose
I also think the manner in which those ideas/behaviours is challenged is important. Calling out a bully is one thing, but saying “that’s racist” isn’t an argument or explanation of why it’s racist and may simply provoke indignant defensiveness rather than re-evaluation.
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Replying to @IllegibleSmudge @HPluckrose
Of course, I’ll probably now be told that’s tone-policing and an expression of my privilege, and that the oppressed are under no obligation to educate others or to be polite.
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Yes, that is epistemic violence. For shame.
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