"It is relevant in a general way to whether we would wish him to treat us or teach us."<
I find that to be fractured logic. Worse, I find it to be fractured logic serving an act of discrimination."
IMO...It isn't. When I am to undergo a medical procedure (as an example) it is very relevant to me. The first thing I consider is professional competence and reputation. The second thing I consider is a myriad of character/personal details that WILL inevitably impact my comfort level and my choice to enter contract--for good or for bad.
So I think the logic is impeccable. I know of no human being who would find the rationality (from their perspective, as it must always be) of a treatment provider...irrelevant.
I agree that it is discrimination. It is a faculty, however, that I choose to honor. You may not. I don't know. It is your choice; Because you DO have that right, and that freedom, and that choice!
I discriminate when I do not place my hand or my wiener on a hot stove. I discriminate when I feel uncomfortable in learning that my doctor belongs to the church of Scientology or is a Wiccan or a Christian. Hell, I even discriminated when I chose my wife! It may have been fractured logic and it was damn sure an act of discrimination...but I wanted to be a bit different and feel that my choices mattered!
Dawkins mentioned a very specific example: a doctor who believes in the "stork theory of reproduction". I don't think anyone can argue against the fact that "it is revealing", as Dawkins stated. And I don't think anyone would find it "irrelevant" in deciding whether or not they wish to make their own beliefs subordinate to something they find either ridiculous or wonderful (Dawkins says nothing about what your choice ought to be--only that if you are human you will likely have an opinion).
I think his logic was impeccable. The only person it would NOT make a difference to is someone who does not care...or someone who has no basis for evaluating events in life. Is it discriminating for someone to take into account the belief that a DOCTOR believes that babies are delivered by storks! I guess it is!! Would such a situation affect your decision to be treated by such a doctor (whether it be to encourage or discourage), or do you basically believe that evaluating the overall safety of treatment through others ought not to take account of whether or not their beliefs inspire confidence in their rationality??
I will state my opinion, if it is not already clear. I would operate on myself before I allowed a "doctor" who thought that babies came from Storks to touch me. But then, I have always considered discrimination to be the greatest gift of homo sapiens! ;-) |
