Re: the term "eugenics"

From: Russell Blackford (RussellBlackford@bigpond.com)
Date: Fri Aug 24 2001 - 17:46:06 MDT


Mike said

>Those that seek to use the law to restrict our
>freedom to progress technologically is fascist in their behavior.

Oh really, Mike, give me a break. They are *illiberal* in their behaviour,
ie they are in (either explicit or tacit) opposition to the classical
liberal ideal of society. But "fascist" is too much.

It is incorrect to call them fascists. It is also not smart to dismiss
people's concerns (which are not based on fascist political theory at all)
in this impatient way. I occasionally lose my patience and say they are
irrational or superstitious. I'm going to try to cut down on this. I have no
compunction in pointing out that they are illiberal. But we have to try to
answer them as reasonably and sweetly as we can bring ourselves to.

Cheers

Russell



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