Vigilance is necessary to resist the seductive allure of virtue dictatorship from "summary" of Dictatorship of Virtue by Richard Bernstein
The seductive allure of virtue dictatorship can be a dangerous trap that threatens to limit our ability to engage in open dialogue and critical thinking. It can lead to a narrow-mindedness that shuts down any form of dissent or disagreement, stifling the very essence of democratic society. In this sense, vigilance becomes essential in order to prevent the encroachment of such a dictatorship on our freedoms and individual autonomy. Virtue dictatorship operates under the guise of promoting moral righteousness and social justice, but in reality, it can become a form of intellectual tyranny that silences alternative viewpoints and stifles intellectual diversity. By being seduced by the allure of virtue, we risk succumbing to a form of groupthink that discourages independent thought and critical inquiry. In order to resist the seductive allure of virtue dictatorship, we must remain vigilant in our commitment to upholding the principles of free speech, open debate, and intellectual diversity. This requires a willingness to engage with ideas and perspectives that may challenge our own beliefs, as well as a commitment to defending the rights of others to express their opinions, even when we may disagree with them. By remaining vigilant in the face of virtue dictatorship, we can help to preserve the values of democracy and individual freedom that are essential to a thriving society. It is only through a steadfast dedication to these principles that we can ensure that our society remains open, inclusive, and respectful of the rights and dignity of all individuals.
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