A thought on 'taking offense' and 'sensitivity'

[Edwardo Piet]

I think that perhaps:

If taking offense is so acceptable. Then taking offense to others taking offense should be too. If it's okay to be sensitive - then it should also be okay for an otherwise INsensitive person to be sensitive to the 'over' sensitivity of a sensitive person.

Thoughts?

EvF

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

I think that perhaps:

If taking offense is so acceptable. Then taking offense to others taking offense should be too. If it's okay to be sensitive - then it should also be okay for an otherwise INsensitive person to be sensitive to the 'over' sensitivity of a sensitive person.

Thoughts?

EvF

I think you may be assuming too much as a principle.


IF taking offence is an emotional reaction,it is beyond the control of the individual, and not something which requires the approval of others.

The way a person behaves as the result of taking offence may or may not be acceptable. Whereas it may acceptable say " I find that REALLY offensive" It's not acceptable to abuse or injure the offender. [in our society]

I am not especially sensitive,but do not intentionally offend others most of the time. However,nor do I walk on egg shells, or refrain from expressing a sincere thought or opinion for fear of giving offence. In my opinion,"oversensitivity" is often a form of passive aggressive behaviour,the purpose of which is to manipulate others. --THAT'S the principle.

IN PRACTICE,situations vary and tact is sometimes a good idea: I would (and have) watched what I said and did in a Muslim country.Those buggers don't fuck about;you can find yourself locked up or deaded.---In less extreme cases,it's often wise not to offend one's boss at work,and to be exceedingly tactful in courting a new girlfriend.

As far as possible I am the arbitor of my own behaviour,rather than my perception of the expectations of others. I'm usually quite capable of bearing the hurt feelings and outrage of others with great fortitude---and a hasty exit when needed...I will also apologise if I feel I'm in error.

[Darwinian]

I quite often wonder around Asda with my 'There's probably No God' T-Shirt on. So far no-one has said anything although I've had a few double-takes.

If, though, someone said to me that they found my t-shirt offensive I wonder if I in turn would find that offensive? Or would it be their intolerance for my opinion?

[lrh9]

I generally don't give a fuck.

[leo-rcc]

I am usually careful not to offend anyone unnecessaryly but I won't bend over backwards not to offend either.

[Dotard]

I generally don't give a fuck.

Ditto

[Kyuuketsuki]

I generally don't give a fuck.

I do that's why I started a campaign against ID & creationism in the science classroom and why I wear a black inverted crucifix.

Kyu

[Edwardo Piet]

I Personally don't give a fuck at all. I'm not offended by anything.

I'm just saying that as it generally seems to be considered acceptable to 'take offense' then shouldn't taking offense to others 'taking offense' be accepted too? Otherwise it's unfair?

Because isn't it kind of hypocritical for Person A to 'take offense' to Person B but then when Person B is offended by the fact Person A's so easily offended over everything...Person B is treated as if he or she is not allowed to be offended by that - why is the 'offended' allowed to be 'offended' but that itself can seemingly never be considered offensive? Because isn't it kind of intolerant to act as if practically everything (or a very many things) are intolerant? Even in cases when they're not?

I think a lot of intolerance should be tolerated because...a lot of it really isn't 'intolerant' (or that intolerant) and it's just an overreaction from the 'offended' person...or it's no big deal in (at least) the particular case - and freedom of speech is more important!

If objecting to seemingly almost everything under the sun, being 'offended' by so much because it's 'intolerant' can be acceptable then shouldn't it also be acceptable to for that too be considerd offensive? Otherwise it's not really fair is it?

It's like 'It's ok...to be sensitive...and it's good to have a thick skin and be insensitive in some respects too. But to be sensitive to someone's oversensitive 'taking offense' that's not so acceptable. Because they're the offended ones!"

- Like it's okay to be 'sensitive' but not when it's being 'sensitive' to someone else's oversensitivity.

I think it's hypocritical of the 'offended person' if it can't go both ways....either both or neither should be acceptable in my opinion or it's unfair.

I think both should be acceptable for reasons of freedom of speech...for the 'offender' to be suppressed like he can't ever take offense to the 'offended' for 'taking offense' for no good reason - I think is unfair...

But I personally get offended by fuck-all.

Why would I get offended?

My own personal philosophy on the matter is one of two things are the case if someone says something 'offensive' to me: Either A: the 'offensive comment' or 'insult', etc, is nonsense, so in which case why get offended if it's nonsense? Or B: The 'offensive comment' or 'insult', etc, is truthful in which case why would I get offended, if they're telling the truth?.

I can't (at least as of late) think of a reason for me to ever simply be 'offended'...

But that's just me lol

EvF

---

Thanks to Phil1989's awesome Stephen Fry quote in his sig (that I've added myself on first glance - I had to (Ideally I think everyone should hehehehe, but that's just my own opinion and personal preference lol)) - and thanks to the help of google, I have found this article:

http://www.mediawatchwatch.org.uk/2006/02/03/sfw/.

I use it as a very simple counter argument to this argument (that I feel is a strawman anyway, and disagree with on principle to the core anyways) that I was presented with in secularchat:

http://www.dpjs.co.uk/swasticross.html.

Stephen Fry FTW I say: Thou Shalt Not Contradict Stephen Fry!

EvF

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

I Personally don't give a fuck at all. I'm not offended by anything.

Not being offended by ANYTHING is not something boast about.The word for that type of person 'sociopath'.Viz; they lack empathy and conscience.

[Edwardo Piet]

No. I have empathy and conscience. I just don't get 'offended'.

EvF