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Current Events » in reply to Moral relativism

In a perfect world...
SDAI-Tech1 — (archived)

..we might all wish that everyone had MA's moral compunction regarding US actions. As it stands, there are always many stratified layers of morality between the "car bomber" and the "photograph the naked pyramid" folks.

Mary Anne is right and so are you. Both from your own points of perspective & experience. Ideally, no abuses would occur in our holding facilities - the guards would be ideal examples of American moral fiber and stature. Sadly, the folks that have such fiber are seldom attracted to the military in sufficient numbers. Such morality usually comes side by side with a certain self-preservation instinct that precludes employment in high-risk jobs. Not always, mind-you, merely statistically.

So folks like MA who shout from the rooftop about such abuses are necessary and serve a definite purpose. At the same time it helps to remember that water seeks its own level and many terrorists or advocates of violence can't help but find themselves surrounded by others who will hold similar views even if on the opposite side of the cell door.

Development and position.

These are the two factors which interpret actions and assign them with varying relative levels of good and/or evil.

It's hard not to forget that the ignorant terrorist often fully believes he is just and righteous and that Americans are truly evil. The western mentality quickly shifts them into the role of bankrobber/kidnapper who knows his actions are evil/wrong but pursues them anyway for personal gain.

Moral equivalence doesn't exist because everyone has differing development and position. What we have is moral disparity--each asigning actions and events with varying levels of good and evil according to these two factors.

Naturally, many illiterate terrorists will continue to believe their actions qualify them for near Sainthood and the fighters of terrorists will know that they are the only sane and righteous ones.

Understanding this means we realize our own views and assignment of good/evil are equally shaped by these two qualifiers. The result of this awareness should be a new measure of compassion for ALL these folks--realizing how these human disparities lead to conflict, violence and suffering.

Even then--one still must make a stand based upon one's own development and position. One sees morality in a new light and "the enemy" no longer is viewed simply as "immoral" but rather of "lower development and differing position."

Rather than criminalize them, we must seek to educate the region and break the cycle of ignorance ASAP, while at the same time keep them isolated & impotent to harm others.

Nothing is more dangerous than someone who believes they are righteous and this is why it is good we keep both an eye on the terrorists and, knowing this, ourselves as well.

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