I think ignorance should excuse people in most cases. Being uneducated about something does not mean they have bad intentions or intend to hurt someone.
Everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt.
Of course there are cases where ignorance is unlikely, but in most cases we should accept that ignorance is a part of human nature and society.
People need education, time and to be taught stuff. I grew up without a lot of parental supervision and guidance. This left me ignorant and lacking a lot of skills.
I had to learn a lot as an adult and in most cases by myself. Society has a vast variety of human experiences and upbringing. Schools are lacking and not covering enough about politics, economy, history and society.
I believe we should assume ignorance and good intentions, even from people we assume are far gone into the wrong side of politics.
One of my core beliefs is that people can change, my life experience supports this.
I had a friend who voted for a conservative party in my country, that has now changed completly to the opposite side. I like to think I was a part of helping that transition, by being open, honest and non-judgemental. Also admitting your own mistakes or when you change your own opinion fosters a climate in which change is not damaging the reputational standing of a friend.
That being said, a person buying the cybertruck now, is not someone I would give the benefit of the doubt.
the_riviera_kid@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Honestly it should be, as long as you correct yourself once you know better. You can’t blame folks for stuff they honestly don’t know.
SCmSTR@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 day ago
I think there’s a point where an outright excuse and a fair and sound justification only becomes explanation but not justification, and then after that can even become manipulation.
It’s impossible to ever really know intent, but we can certainly try to deduce consistencies in somebody else’s psyche. The problem arises when you encounter not knowing if somebody is truly stupid or if it is out of fear, hatred, and/or malice.