From: matus (matus@matus1976.com)
Date: Wed Aug 13 2003 - 09:39:06 MDT
> > Never attribute to malice what can be explained by stupidity..
>
> Hmmm. Sometimes I think all too much real malice if forgiven by
> assuming stupdity.
>
> - s
>
> That may be, but how much more malice is generated through honest
> mistakes? Its natural to think that if someone does something
> that harms us that harm must have been their intent (and I'm sure
> Eliezer can give a better description than me as to why), but
> in the complex world we live in its hard to judge the impact of
> our actions on everyone they effect, even if we do try. When
> someone stupidly argues for/against the war with Iraq, or
> immigration your opponent is probably not out to destroy America,
> and it pays to remember this.
This is the primary reason why I think people should be judged on the
consequences of their actions, instead of their motivations. Since we
can never truly know someone's motivations, but we can much more
objectively determine the consequences of their actions. Besides, it is
entirely unclear whether (good intentions) + (ignorance) has caused more
harm in the world or (evil intentions) + (intelligence) has. Those who
commit ills with their good intentions + ignorance are never encumbered
by such nuisances as a guilty conscience. Witness the banning of DDT,
done with entirely good intentions, has now lead to the death of more
than 20 million people, mostly children in Africa, which otherwise would
not have died. At the height of DDT spraying deaths from malaria
numbered in the single to low double digits every year. Now they number
in the millions.
Michael Dickey
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