Scholar Jonathan Rauch argues that the ability to offend is an indispensable part of the human learning process and the development of knowledge. He distinguishes between "purism," which seeks to cleanse society of "hateful" views, and "pluralism," which encourages open dialogue and the testing of all ideas. Rauch asserts that protecting people from being "wounded by words" actually harms minorities by depriving them of the tools of persuasion and open debate.
