But since I introduced it into the conversation, what I meant is most relevant
I disagree. Why would you believe that? Are my arguments to be limited by the order of the posts? Do I not have the right to consider you mistaken or wrong and to assert my own relevence to words and premises? Why is the order important for you? Why is it SO important. I have seen debates that filled a book where the meaning and relevence of simple words and phrases went on for page after page. I fail to see why you think my relevence should be limited by your relevence, just because you asserted yours first.
But fine, if I am not to be allowed the opportunity to consider how it is relevent to my argument (which came before you introduced the particular word--super! We have another winner!)
If you have a right to be left alone, it means I (or we) have an obligation to leave you alone
You're almost there. No, it doesn't. You have no obligation. You have an obligation only to yourself and only if you are moral and are able to recognize the duty or the desire to be moral and respect my RIGHT. Your obligation to respect my freedom is to yourself. You are the moral agent contemplating the action. I am doing nothing but waiting. You are the moral agent contemplating a choice. I am doing nothing.
My claim is not OF YOU. It is FROM you. My RIGHT exists whether you respect it or not, whether you violate it or not. The RIGHT exist independently of your choice.
Trust is a serious matter. My son depends on me, society expect me to play a central role in his upbringing, my wife chose to start a family with me, there are all sorts of people counting on me. Of course, I freely undertake it, in the sense that I could have avoided marriage, or had a vasectomy. But that is only one element in a web of responsibility.
You got a lot of stuff going on. A lot of moral choices to consider.
We assert rights when trying to persuade people to do or forbear, or when enlisting aid in compelling compliance. To assert a claim is, than, a certain sort of appeal to conscience, meant to forestall a resort to violence or capitulation.
LOL! Well, I'm asserting RIGHTS! Am I in danger of you resorting to violence or to capitulating?! Give me a bit of warning, please! |
