By ZELIG
Added: Mon, 18 Apr 2011 22:05:17 UTC

It is my belief that "political correctness" is inherently dishonest, totalitarian, and incompatible with genuine moral and intellectual rigour. To be clear: I do not mean that certain manifestations of "political correctness" are worthy of condemnation, I mean that the whole thing, even its most idealised conception, is an affront to those seriously concerned with truth.

I'm well aware that most of the "educated" among us think otherwise, and are so thoroughly steeped in this collective dishonesty that they will think my objections comical or, alternatively, as evidence of a profound moral or intellectual flaw.

"Madness is something rare in individuals - but in groups, parties, peoples, ages it is the rule" (Nietzsche).

The crux of my opposition to "political correctness" can be easily summarized. Firstly: it makes every thought, feeling, word, expression, every form of discourse, both public and private - political! Secondly: it pretends to know something it doesn't, namely, what is "correct".

Given that this doctrine enjoys widespread support in our culture, my challenge to its numerous defenders is simple - please provide a philosophically robust and coherent justification for this dogma, or, have the honesty to admit that it gets your approval in spite of this deficiency.

TAGGED: CRITICAL THINKING, SOCIETY