At an event hosted by former Obama staffer David Axelrod, who serves at the Institute of Politics’ Director, Van Jones was asked about the increased demand from students for protection from ideas on college campuses.
Although I endorse the majority of Jones' statement, I disagree with his desire that students "be offended" every day. I think it is better to teach people how not to be so easily offended by everything which doesn't gratify them. I think we need to learn that offense is something we must 'take', and we need to learn how to not take offense so often; not just how not to give offense.
With all of these people taking offense nowadays, what is most needed is a better understanding of the distinction between offense and harm.
These are excerpts from a great little book Plato Not Prozac by Dr. Lou Marinoff
"If someone or something harms you―that is, injures you physically against your will―you are not an accomplice to the injury. . . . But offense is something else. If someone or something offends you―that is, insults you in some way―you are definitely an accomplice to the insult. Why? Because you TOOK offense at it. You may be passively harmed by something such as a physical blow, but you take an active part in being offended by something such as a painting.
Remember the language of bygone days.
"Sorry, no offense intended."
"Well, then, none taken."
That kind of civility has been made obsolete by a culture of careless thinking, which has allowed offense to become confused with harm. Marcus Aurelius knew the difference back in the second century Rome, but our advanced culture has forgotten. Nowadays people take offense themselves, then accuse others of harming them, and the system backs this up with policies that undercut individual liberties. Worse, the system reinforces this confusion by rewarding people monetarily for taking offense. No wonder everyone's either walking on eggshells or walking around with their noses out of joint."
"Take away your opinion, and there is taken away the complaint 'I have been offended.' Take away the compliant 'I have been offended,' and the offense is gone." ― Marcus Aurelius
Also we need to learn to see the type of person CS Lewis describes; one who acts in a way that intends to give offense, but then claims a grievance once offense is taken.
Some people are trying to offend us. Most of their attempts aren't really worth getting offended about. We dilute ourselves by taking offense so often. We ought to save our energy and keep our powder dry for the really offensive things which desecrate the sacred and undermine the Good Society we're trying to preserve and enhance.
