Be Reasonable: Scholars Define Who Is and Who Is Not
Mar 4, 2025
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Canadian thinkers explore the meaning and significance of reasonableness in government and law. Five Canadian intellectuals discuss their backgrounds and areas of expertise. Personal experiences with unreasonableness in various aspects of life are shared. The characteristics of unreasonableness and the challenges faced by boundary-pushing writers are discussed.
54:08
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Quick takeaways
Reasonableness involves civility, compromise, tolerance, and respect in a democratic society.
Unreasonableness is characterized by rudeness, lack of compromise, and a failure to recognize the importance of consensus.
Reasonableness is essential for democratic societies, fostering productive conversations, trust, and collective decision-making.
Deep dives
Unreasonableness in Everyday Life
Unreasonableness can manifest in various aspects of daily life. One person recounts an incident at the airport where someone cut in front of them in line, leading to a heated confrontation. Another shares their experience of being treated unfairly by an airline staff after arriving slightly late for a flight. They were not given the assistance they needed and were subjected to a public dressing-down. A third person reflects on the unreasonable circumstances of losing a bank card and being asked to provide additional identification that was unnecessary. These examples highlight instances where unreasonableness arises in ordinary situations, causing frustration and a sense of injustice.
Defining Reasonableness
The podcast episode delves into the question of what reasonableness means. Scholars and writers share their thoughts, highlighting different cultural and linguistic connotations of the concept. They discuss the importance of public perception and context in determining what is considered reasonable or unreasonable behavior. The definition of reasonableness can vary, but it generally involves civility, compromise, tolerance, and respect. The scholars emphasize the significance of open and reasoned debate in a democratic society and stress the need for understanding and negotiating differences in viewpoints.
Characteristics of Unreasonableness
Unreasonableness is characterized by certain behaviors and attitudes. Some of the characteristics highlighted include rudeness, a lack of imagination, an inability to compromise, a deficit of civility, an inclination towards negative emotions, and a failure to recognize the importance of consensus in a democratic society. Scholars also note that unreasonableness can sometimes be a way of justifying lies or maintaining power dynamics. While unreasonableness may vary across contexts and individuals, these characteristics provide insight into what makes certain behaviors or beliefs unreasonable.
The Role of Reasonableness in Democracy
Reasonableness plays a crucial role in democratic societies. Scholars stress that democratic societies rely on reasonable discourse, respect for differing opinions, and an openness to compromise. They highlight the importance of mutual understanding and the ability to debate political issues with reason and evidence. While differing perspectives and disagreements are inevitable, reasonableness helps build trust among citizens and facilitates productive conversations that enable progress and collective decision-making. Maintaining civility and recognizing the limits of personal freedoms are emphasized as essential in a democratic society.
Strategies for Dealing with Unreasonable People
When faced with unreasonable people, individuals adopt various strategies. Some intervene directly to address unreasonableness, such as speaking up when witnessing mistreatment or offering support to those being targeted. Others find solace in writing, using the power of words to rebut unreasonable arguments or challenge societal norms. Understanding, negotiation, and self-reflection are mentioned as strategies for dealing with unreasonableness. Recognizing one's own biases and engaging in reasoned dialogue are considered valuable tools in navigating these situations. Laughing, arguing, or walking away are also mentioned as individual responses to unreasonable encounters.
From the interpersonal to the societal: what is reasonableness? And in a democracy, how reasonable can we reasonably demand that others be? Five Canadian thinkers try to define what “reasonableness” means and what it is to behave and think reasonably. *This episode originally aired on Feb. 6, 2024.
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