Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Tolerance and diversity, not conformity

There is a misunderstanding about philosopher John Rawls’ idea of the “veil of ignorance”, in the letter “Diversity should be embraced, not ignored” (July 23).

There is a misunderstanding about philosopher John Rawls’ idea of the “veil of ignorance”, in the letter “Diversity should be embraced, not ignored” (July 23).

Rawls’ idea, though controversial, can be better reinterpreted as a “thin veil” in that, if we had some inkling of the effects of prejudice and inequality, we would want to ensure the society we enter is not only fair and tolerant but allows for diversity.

The point is to ensure we live in a society where we empathise with one another, knowing that such attitudes are in the highest interests of all.

In the case of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) matters, no parent knows how their child will turn out and it is in the interests of those entering society that people who are different are recognised and given space to be themselves, rather than hemmed in or persecuted.

Without the veil, claims about embracing diversity tend to be subjective. It is demanding a lot to expect people who are shaped by different cultural, linguistic and spiritual values to take an imaginative leap to be in the skin of the other — laudable but daunting.

This goes beyond the ability to just empathise, so Rawls created an objective basis — reflecting people’s capacity to have and use a sense of justice derived from morality — to choose and agree upon allowing for an overlapping diversity that does not slide into subjectivism.

As a thinker, he was committed to a political conception of justice that allows for a fair system, open to both secular and spiritual ideas, for society to decide on socioeconomic-political issues by forging a consensus between people.

In the instance of the recent National Library Board (NLB) controversy, it is precisely to reflect all views and be fair to everyone that the books should be removed from the children’s section and housed elsewhere.

Some misunderstood the situation as being a matter of censorship, when it was about tolerance and diversity.

The NLB’s decision to reflect social norms does not mean it can impose social conformity on others. Therefore, the political direction to place the books in the adults’ section was the right one.

The power and value of Rawls’ ideas in a democratic society are that they call for moderation, calm and working out acceptable solutions for all as far as possible.

They are meant to showcase the expansiveness of spirit and the broadmindedness and clarity of thought possible in formulating a life of stability and success based on reason.

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.