@braintic
Firstly, it was actually in response to financialwar
"If you have to ask this stupid question, then you are pretty stupid." which is a pretty apathetic remark, regardless of what view that person actually had.
Two, it is mainly religious pluralism that I reject. I have nothing wrong with multiculturalism, provided it is based on respect. As a result, I find diversity, multiculturalism, democracy, free speech etc. to be good things.
[1]
I have no problem with multicultural nations, provided there is respect, frankly their sometimes isn't. I have no problem with the freedom to express each other views, but frankly to say that each view is equal, is clearly misguided.
In fact diversity I strongly encourage, which is why that comment above I consider as apathetic. I have no problems particularly with cultural diversity (even if you call it cultural pluralism).
[2]
Pluralism, notably religious pluralism, does not provide what it claims it can offer:
And despite what pluralism ** may define itself, in practice it does not tend to be like this.
Most of the examples in that site are arguably examples “diversity” and/or “cooperation” not actually demonstrating pluralism.
A distinction needs to be made between diversity and pluralism. Particularly if diversity is seen as a problem that pluralism fixes, which can be the attitude held. I don't see diversity is a problem, and even if I did, I don't think saying that all cultures for example are the same is a viable solution (yet people do that with religious pluralism)
**religious pluralism, or though it can extend to other forms in a more limited context. Consider below:
For example a better philosophical definition of pluralism:
a. The doctrine that reality is composed of many ultimate substances.
b. The belief that no single explanatory system or view of reality can account for all the phenomena of life.
Particularly both of these definitions together lead to the inevitable conclusion, that each worldview is right, which in essence because of the differences, can lead to apathy or rejecting every worldview, except that of pluralism.
There is a logical problem in pluralism though:
A. Assume pluralism is true (philosophically)
B. As the definition of pluralism would state that no single explanatory system or view can account for all the phenomena of life.
C. Therefore pluralism cannot be COMPLETELY true, negating or undermining A,
hence a contradiction.
The only point for disagreement is then on the definition (B).
[3]
I have no problem with tolerance depending on how you define it.
1. To recognize and respect (the rights, beliefs, or practices of others).
2. To accept or be patient regarding (something unpleasant or undesirable);
Unfortunately with the second definition particularly “acceptance”, many people often take it as an excuse, that UNLESS we agree with someone (particularly noticeable on ‘rights’ issues such as gay-marriage etc.), we are INTOLERANT of their position. I can completely disagree with one’s views, and still recognise and respect the differences.
[4]
[Religious] pluralism tends to blur the distinctions between worldviews or religions, either by saying in practice they are same (which they are not)
e.g.
“The moral law that we find in the Bible, especially the Ten Commandments, is quite similar to the codes of other religions and can be found in civilizations that pre-date the giving of the law at Mount Sinai. If religion is basically ethics - getting people to do the right thing - then why get uptight over the different historical forms, doctrines, rituals, and practices that distinguish one version of morality from another?”
"Maybe you’ve heard the analogy of the six blind men and the elephant. In this analogy, six blind men feel a different part of an elephant and come to different conclusions regarding what the elephant is actually like. One blind man grabs the tusk and says, “An elephant is like a spear!” Another feels the trunk and concludes, “An elephant is like a snake!” The blind man hugging the leg thinks, “An elephant is like a tree!” The one holding the tail claims, “An elephant is like a rope!” Another feeling the ear believes, “An elephant is like a fan!” The last blind man leaning on the elephant’s side exclaims, “An elephant is like a wall!” This is often used to illustrate a view known as religious pluralism. Like the blind men, no religion has the truth. Rather, all religions are true in that they accurately describe their personal experience and the spiritual reality they encounter, given various historical and cultural backgrounds. There are various types of religious pluralism, but one way to define it is as follows: “the view that all religious roads – certainly all major or ethical ones – lead to God or to ultimate reality (if you don't believe in God) or salvation.” This idea is commonly reflected in such statements as “All religions basically teach the same thing” or “All roads lead to the top of the mountain.”
It is this kind of pluralism that is problematic, because it actually IN PRACTICE does not recognise the differences between each worldview, i.e. fails to deliver on what it says it should provide.
Why? Because it says that all worldviews have some true or some merit and basically gain the same result, when there are clearly disagreements even contradictions if all were true to some degree.
You don’t have to look far for disagreements, just look at the disagreements between for example Buddhism and Judaism, or even between atheism (a secular worldview) and Christianity, or even between Roman Catholicism and Protestant Christianity. To say that all religions are the same is what is so terrible about religious plurality.
