Re: Relativism and Ethics (was RE: Beating a dead....)

Warrl kyree Tale'sedrin (warrl@mail.blarg.net)
Sat, 11 Apr 1998 10:23:04 +0000


> From: PaR <par@nu-world.com>

> However the problem with the no absolute morals/ethics statement is that it leads to
> the innevitable "so you believe that anyone can do anything to anyone else - plunder,
> murder, rape etc.!!"

It is not necessary to believe "rape is wrong" in order to have a
compelling reason not to commit rape. It is sufficient to believe
"if I rape this girl, her brothers/sisters/friends/neighbors will
find out who did it and come beat my head in".

For those who hold the former belief, committing rape would simply
produce a moral problem. There are abundant cases of people finding
their way out of moral problems in a manner that leaves them free of
self-blame for incredible crimes.

For those who hold the latter belief, committing rape would be a form
of suicide.

>
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