From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Wed Nov 17 2004 - 15:22:50 GMT
Arlo,
> > Not according to Pirsig. He applies some "critical thinking" to the
> > beliefs of today's intellectuals, pointing out that at times brutality is
> > a necessary condition of the good:
>
> If the means justify the end "sometimes", does that mean they justify the
> end "all the time"?
All the time a society is threatened by biological values, yes.
> Because a society must use force to imprison those who break the societal
> laws, does this lead to the conclusion that any time that society exercises
> force it is for justifiable reasons?
No.
> Or are there still situations were the use of force by society (say in
> overthowing a legally elected foreign leader, or selling arms to two
> opposing factions so that their ongoing killing protects our societies
> economic interests via a destabilized region, or in slavery, or in planned
> extermination)... in ANY society is repugnant no matter how you slice it?
It depends on the threat.
> You see, because if not, I am left wondering how when others use brutality
> to preserve their society, you are not championing this? Or is America the
> only nation "allowed" to achieve the good through brutality?
Any nation threatened by another nation or by a group (radical Islam) that
initiates a policy of "might makes right" has a moral right to defend
itself by any means at its disposable.
Platt
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