Should people apologize for their opinions?

[Abarri]

Should you apologize for your opinions? Up to you.

Accept an apology from someone who held extreme views? Sure, why not, especially when there is absolutely nothing else to do about it.

[Czechoeuropa]

Should they apologize? No, only a spineless person would do so. Would I accept their apology? No, I would not accept the "apology" of a coward.

[Samadhi]

Some opinions, including certain religious groups, ethnonationalism, and similar views, are often considered hurtful or dangerous to certain people or society as a whole. People who hold these views can be ostracized from society because their views are considered undesirable.

When people who held extreme opinions change their minds, they may feel as if those ideas were a moral flaw they must atone for by apologizing to the people who may have been affected by their views. However, some people might believe that these apologies do not make up for harm that was potentially caused by these extreme beliefs.

So what do you think, NSG? Would you accept an apology from someone who held extreme beliefs? Should they apologize at all?

Personally, I would support apologizing for ideas that were harmful to people. Although an apology would not undo the damage, it can be the beginning of someone trying to change themselves and should be encouraged. This encouragement would include accepting the apology, even if it is difficult.

Opinions aren't harmful, actions are.

They may be distasteful, but there's no actual harm in them.

[Alvecia]

Some opinions, including certain religious groups, ethnonationalism, and similar views, are often considered hurtful or dangerous to certain people or society as a whole. People who hold these views can be ostracized from society because their views are considered undesirable.

When people who held extreme opinions change their minds, they may feel as if those ideas were a moral flaw they must atone for by apologizing to the people who may have been affected by their views. However, some people might believe that these apologies do not make up for harm that was potentially caused by these extreme beliefs.

So what do you think, NSG? Would you accept an apology from someone who held extreme beliefs? Should they apologize at all?

Personally, I would support apologizing for ideas that were harmful to people. Although an apology would not undo the damage, it can be the beginning of someone trying to change themselves and should be encouraged. This encouragement would include accepting the apology, even if it is difficult.

Opinions aren't harmful, actions are.

They may be distasteful, but there's no actual harm in them.

It's very hard to separate the two in practice. Opinions inform actions.

[Rainbowsix]

I don't think people should apologize for an opinion.. no matter how stupid/offensive you think it is.. it's what they think is right... so no i don't think you should apologize for what you believe in..

[Samadhi]

Opinions aren't harmful, actions are.

They may be distasteful, but there's no actual harm in them.

It's very hard to separate the two in practice. Opinions inform actions.

Oh bollocks, you punish harmful actions, you act however you want towards distasteful opinions.

[Valentine Z]

I'm sorry for being so loving.

-----

That aside, like others have said, apology comes usually or if only when they no longer have those opinions, and that they feel that it's wrong for them to have it.

It doesn't have to be political all the time. It can be something like "Sorry I judged you too harshly; my opinions on you back then were wrong."

Otherwise, err... I would say you don't need to apologise if you are not hurting anyone. BUT if you realise that your opinions are wrong on a certain matter (something touchy like genocide, for example), then you just stand corrected on that matter and be glad that you didn't act it out. It's part of the whole learning thing as long as there're no actions.

EDIT: You don't need to apologise but I will feel easier and safer talking to someone whose opinion is neutral on matters, rather than someone who wants a group of people dead for some reason.

My two cents, anyway.

[Alvecia]

It's very hard to separate the two in practice. Opinions inform actions.

Oh bollocks, you punish harmful actions, you act however you want towards distasteful opinions.

I never said otherwise.
Just that it's easy to say "opinions aren't harmful", but often those opinions directly influence harmful actions.

[Rojava Free State]

Yes, if their opinions are wrong.

Opinions can't be wrong, only facts can be

[Samadhi]

Oh bollocks, you punish harmful actions, you act however you want towards distasteful opinions.

I never said otherwise.
Just that it's easy to say "opinions aren't harmful", but often those opinions directly influence harmful actions.

Yeah and?

That's not really a relevant point, unless you wanna go thought crime. We already include premeditation when prosecuting crimes, so it's not like it's going to change much in sentencing.

[Dytarma]

Hell no, they should be able to keep it unless they voluntarily and willingly change said opinion.

[Rojava Free State]

In my opinion the Baltimore riots of 2015 hurt black people in Baltimore and made the city a worse place to live in. Sorry, not sorry

[Spiritual Republic of Caryton]

> inb4 this turns into a PC: "everyone's opinion but mine is wrong" thread.

Good day to you all.

[Alvecia]

I never said otherwise.
Just that it's easy to say "opinions aren't harmful", but often those opinions directly influence harmful actions.

Yeah and?

You said there is no harm in opinions.
I countered by positing that the direct causal link between opinions and harmful actions makes the opinions harmful by association.

This is a discussion forum, we are discussing.

[Novus America Imperium]

You shouldn't apologize for your for opinion, no matter what it is. You shouldn't expect someone to apologize for their opinion either.

[La Xinga]

Well, those "harmful" stuff can be right in the religion's, ideologies', or nation's eyes.

[Samadhi]

Yeah and?

You said there is no harm in opinions.
I countered by positing that the direct causal link between opinions and harmful actions makes the opinions harmful by association.

This is a discussion forum, we are discussing.

Nothing is ever that tidy, to be directly causal enough to consider a thought harmful.

[Alvecia]

You said there is no harm in opinions.
I countered by positing that the direct causal link between opinions and harmful actions makes the opinions harmful by association.

This is a discussion forum, we are discussing.

Nothing is ever that tidy, to be directly causal enough to consider a thought harmful.

True enough, but there's enough people expressing enough opinions to be able to draw reliable corollary data to support it.

[Kandorith]

I'd day no. To be fair I hold some opinions which are deemed unpopular or even extremist but I would never act upon it. In the past actions which were brought forth by these opinions have brought harm however, for actions which bring harm apologies is the way to go. Opinions can't be wrong, but they can be outdated or lead to harmful behavior however. It's always a thin line and a slippery slope, alas in the end its the actions of the individual which counts.

[Satuga]

This conversation reminded me of the story of Kent
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2017/10/07/the-ironic-friendship-that-convinced-a-former-neo-nazi-to-erase-his-swastika-tattoos/
A former Neo-nazi who changed his mind after meeting one of his probation officer who was black, becoming friends and with the officer convincing Kent of giving up his racist ways.

[Arkhane]

I prefer a genuine opinion that antagonizes me than a fake/insincere apology just to comfort me.

While people who are genuinely sorry about what they said do exist. Most "apologies" today are from coercion, force, manipulation and many other societal/peer pressures and restrictions.

[Satuga]

I prefer a genuine opinion that antagonizes me than a fake/insincere apology just to comfort me.

While people who are genuinely sorry about what they said do exist. Most "apologies" today are from coercion, force, manipulation and many other societal/peer pressures and restrictions.

I.E most youtube apology videos.

[Big Jim P]

No. I am damn sure not going to apologize for mine, so I have no right to expect anyone else to.

[Rojava Free State]

I prefer a genuine opinion that antagonizes me than a fake/insincere apology just to comfort me.

While people who are genuinely sorry about what they said do exist. Most "apologies" today are from coercion, force, manipulation and many other societal/peer pressures and restrictions.

"I'm sorry for my racially insensitive remarks" aka I'm sorry something I said offended you. Please like me

[Perisno]

Should they apologize for having their opinions? No. Should they apologize if they've hurt someone else in a debate/argument regarding their opinions? Sure, if the circumstances allow it. It's just the respectful thing to do.