From: Platt Holden (pholden@sc.rr.com)
Date: Fri Mar 14 2003 - 14:53:50 GMT
Andy, Matt:
>Of course, we can criticize
> political dictators. We just can’t make an appeal to some absolutes. We
> have to criticize the dictator for imposing a political system on
> individuals limiting the freedom of individuals in their society. We don’t
> have any appeal to an absolute truth, only an appeal to history and
> experience which demonstrates to us that democracy is a better system.
> Individual rights should be respected above national rights. Societies
> that put the individual above national interests are better societies. Not
> because it is a “natural law,” but because it allows humans to “cope” with
> their environment better.
Well, without universals, it's just your opinion against the dictator's. And
he's got the guns.
>And, in the second phrase, Platt removes the most
> important part the Rorty quote. There is something to be said to the secret
> police. Mainly, “Get the hell out of my house.”
Like that's going to really scare them away.
> What needs to be said to the secret police and the torturers is that they
> are not useful parts of our society and it is our responsibility to create
> a society that does not value these institutions in society.
What needs to be done to dictators who intentionally use overt physical
force on others is to kill them like bugs.
> BTW, a recent
> times/CBS poll said that 64% of Americans believe torture is justified
> under some circumstances. So, I guess, we have a long way to go before we
> do create such a society.
I guess so. Utopia is still a dream.
Platt
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