> It's now very common to hear people say, 'I'm rather offended by that.' As if that gives them certain rights. It's actually nothing more... than a whine. 'I find that offensive.' It has no meaning; it has no purpose; it has no reason to be respected as a phrase.
With an attitude like that, how can anyone explain racism, sexism or
_any kind_ of offensive behavior to you? I mean, you've basically declared the word "offensive" means nothing to you. So if someone said they were offended by something you did, you wouldn't even consider their point of view; nor would you have any empathy observing such a situation as 3rd party witness or as a reader of an article describing such a situation between 2 parties. Do you see anything wrong with this?
Being 'offended' runs a whole spectrum from legitimate outrage of a betrayal of vital social norms through to mildly inconvenienced that not everyone agrees with my personal world view. The problem is many people use 'offense' in the latter sense to ram through their personal beliefs onto others.
I have been known to be in the company of men to whom I am not related. Some consider this offensive. They can explain to me that its immodest. I can explain that I find the suggestion insulting beyond belief. Who is objectively 'right'. Am I not empathetic or are they?
> Being 'offended' runs a whole spectrum from legitimate outrage of a betrayal of vital social norms through to mildly inconvenienced that not everyone agrees with my personal world view.
I agree & this is already more than what Neya is willing to believe, given what I quoted from him. At least you believe being offended actually exists. Neya's comment seems to suggest that being offend is just whining and should never be considered at all, ever.
With an attitude like that, how can anyone explain racism, sexism or _any kind_ of offensive behavior to you? I mean, you've basically declared the word "offensive" means nothing to you. So if someone said they were offended by something you did, you wouldn't even consider their point of view; nor would you have any empathy observing such a situation as 3rd party witness or as a reader of an article describing such a situation between 2 parties. Do you see anything wrong with this?