obtk wrote
We respect them because, while they had abhorrent ideals they still ultimately had great contributions to the field of philosophy, and most of their appreciated work has nothing to do with race. Should we gain what there is to gain from the past's work, or should we hate them and judge them with a modern eye for having what was then, mainstream positions. A great example (different field, but it still applies) is the Nazis. Obviously, what they did was abhorrent and inexcusable by any measure, but should we not seek to better our society with the medical advances they made? It's not like if a racist person says or invents something it's automatically incorrect or invalid.
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