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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank
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To: Lane3 who wrote (4613)2/3/2001 7:30:45 PM
From: TimF  Read Replies (1) of 82486
 
The exercise was about two different truths each supported by a "significant minority." I argue that neither should try to impose theirs on the other. In cases where there is a strong consensus, then imposing it is not an issue because there's agreement.

How so? If one person in the US believes something is ok. And every other person in the US thinks it is horrible and should be outlawed, it would amount to a very strong consensus that it is horrible and should be outlawed. However if the other 270mil or so people outlaw the act they are still imposeing their opinion on the 1 person. Your point (that imposing is not an issue) would only be valid if you did not just have a consensus but actually had 100% agreement (which you will probably never have in any very large group).

I'm comforted to know that your advocacy is not without limit.

My response would be similar to a situation where someone planted a nuke in a city, but we didn't know where so it could not be disarmed or even what city so that it could be evacuated. If the guilty party was caught, and I was sure he was guilty and I was sure that the nuke would go off and kill many thousands or even a few million people, and I was sure that the location could be gotten out of him by torture, I would not oppose the nuclear bomber being tortured. I'm not saying torture is right, but even though I care greatly about my moral values there are possible situations where I will compromise them for a big enough practical good. I don't think that makes the compromise a good thing.

Tim
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