The Power of Tolerance

Welcome back to this week’s installment of Linking Life Skills with Science.

This week, it is Hemal writing, and I shall be writing about a virtue and skill that we are well aware of but very rarely implement.

And that skill, is tolerance.

When we first read about tolerance, what first comes to mind? Is it an image of a meek and weak individual, being a pushover, accepting whatever insults are thrown at them? Often when we think of tolerance this is the image that projects itself, when in fact tolerance is among the most powerful qualities to have.

Consider a tolerant, noble leader, to an intolerant tyrant. The tolerant noble leader is respected by others because the leader respects them. They allow for disagreements; they listen to other people’s point of view and they are open to discussion. A tyrant is someone who lacks tolerance for those who disagree with their point of view – often due to bundled-up fears and insecurities. The tyrant is not respected, and in fact hated by others. Their role in society is perpetuated by force, and not out of genuine respect.

Tolerance also plays a pivotal point in relationships with fellow humans – be it in the form of relatives, friends, lovers or the business/transactional world. An individual who lacks tolerance for someone bearing the opposite view to theirs will have limited success in making progress. Lacking tolerance and being unable to understand that everyone will not have the same views and ideas as yourself leads to an individual taking a very defensive posture; activating the fight or flight /combat emotions in the body and does not promote healthy discussion.

We can see this in politics- where the extreme left and extreme right become continually polarised – due to a lack of tolerance. Both sides end up harbouring more extreme views and end up seething with hate for one another- which does not lead to any form of societal progress.

It is also crucial to consider the importance of tolerance as a scientist. The fundamental idea behind science is to work towards finding the ultimate truth through theories, and experiments/trials. Being wedded to an idea, and not being open to criticism will hamper scientific progress.

The best scientists are confident that their methodology works and are tolerant of other scientists scrutinising their work, in order to get to the absolute truth.

The best way to develop tolerance within ourselves is to become more accepting of other people’s views instead of becoming defensive. If the opinion/viewpoint you have come to is, in fact, correct, it should be easy to explain and justify it to others- and this promotes a healthy discussion and societal progress. Having a disagreement with an individual does not need to lead to primitive combat methods that are ingrained in our nature, and can instead be resolved through tolerance, understanding, and discussion.

So, how are you going to be more tolerant?

Stay smart and stay inquisitive!

Are you ready to make that new connection?

Stay tuned for more next week!!