Comment by fwn
1 year ago
In the paradox of intolerance, Popper was writing about violence, not anti-establishment speech.
Known for his critical rationalism and vehement opposition to authoritarianism, Popper would probably be spinning in his grave if he knew that his essay is cited as a token every time someone is persecuted for posting the wrong kind of tweet.
Not really, I’m afraid you’re shifting the goalposts.
I don’t think Popper would be so naive to just limit intolerance to physical violence (which is already ruled out by law, so why bother).
The intolerance is against anything intolerant that if given enough power will stamp out (violently) Democracy itself.
One just needs to look at Putin’s Russia to understand what he meant.
it is not a paradox, but an antinomy. the limits of democracy were clearly seen with covid19 and with the funding of ONG.