If you admit that to silence your opponent by force_x000D_ is to win an intellectual argument,_x000D_ then you admit the right to silence people by force.
Interpretation
Using force to silence someone undermines the integrity of an intellectual argument.
Hans Eysenck highlights a critical aspect of discourse and debate, emphasizing that resorting to force to silence an opponent signifies a troubling acceptance of coercion in intellectual discussions. This stance implies that if one justifies winning arguments through force, it opens the door to a broader acceptance of silencing dissenting voices, compromising the ideals of free and open dialogue.
In practice
During a debate on free speech, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of dialogue over coercion.
I always felt that a scientist owes the world only one thing, and that is the truth as he sees it. If the truth contradicts deeply held beliefs, that is too bad. Tact and diplomacy are fine in international relations, in politics, perhaps even in business; in science only one thing matters, and that is the facts.
We want a society in which we are free to make choices, to make mistakes, to be generous and compassionate. That is what we mean by a moral society - not a society in which the State is responsible for everything, and no one is responsible for the State.
The world is made up for the most part of morons and natural tyrants, sure of themselves, strong in their own opinions, never doubting anything.
Men from children nothing differ.
I don't want other people to decide who I am. I want to decide that for myself.
There's something about witnessing something in the sky that makes people think they're seeing something unique or special. I don't really understand the psychology of it, to be honest.
I think there's a large worry in queer communities about imitating straight people, when queerness has its own identity and maybe can be a radical force that should be dismantling stuff that locks people into structures.
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