>> I think that kind of mechanistic killing kind of transcends notions of cowardice and bravery- but I do agree with him that you can't call a kamikaze killer cowardly.<<
Syb -
Just for a moment, I'd like to argue the other side of that point. I do enjoy trying to see things from other points of view.
If a person believes that by flying a plane into a building, thus killing thousands of innocent people, he will instantaneously be transported to paradise where he will be waited on by 72 virgins, can he be said to be doing anything courageous? I realize that by saying only that he isn't cowardly, you're not actually claiming that he is demonstrating courage. But what does such an act really tell us about him?
You could argue that if he really believes all that crap about the virgins, then what he is doing is extremely selfish, and that he is displaying depraved indifference toward the lives of others. You could even say that he is being cowardly, if you want to look at it that way, because rather than take his chances on getting to heaven after living a full, morally upright life, he's trying to get an immediate free pass.
Of course, the real cowards, and the truly evil ones, are the people higher up in the chain of command, who convince him to undertake his mission, while staying safely hidden away. I only wish there really was a Hell, because those people deserve a very special place there.
- Allen
PS: I think you've done a fine job of arguing your points in this debate. In truth, I agree with you. I believe there's a bit of truth in what I've written above, but I think it's more important to see that we are usually far to quick to adopt the "We are good, they are evil" stance. |
