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Re: Westermarck and 'consideration'

Posted by Dante on Wednesday, April 16 2014 at 05:27:52AM
In reply to Re: Westermarck and 'consideration' posted by EthanEdwards on Tuesday, April 15 2014 at 04:12:03AM

"The discussion we don't have at VP isn't about contact, it's about whether contact might be OK in society some day."

And thus the debate is framed. Its not about what happens emotionally between you and the loved one, its about the two parties and an outsider who wields a big stick.

Sure, some might try to make their way around the 300 lb gorilla and arrive at authentic ethics. But for others the gorilla becomes an easy crutch which precludes thinking clearly about the absence a coercive force which conveniently agrees with the "always wrong" claim.

The "some day" argument you disallow is about actual ethical choices between two free agents. And, frankly, when a child reciprocates feelings, its usually outside of the presence of Cops or other proxies for that "necessary" third party you feel a need to include.

There are many good arguments for why acting to minimize harm is good. Argumentum ad baculum is an intellectually lazy out that leaves one ill prepared for a real ethical choice.

"I don't see as a prior background in thinking about just why it's wrong and whether it might change some day has any positive bearing on how to avoid getting into that situation and how to get out of it gracefully and quickly."

Funny. most shrinks see rehearsing the scenario and considering consequences as a useful step so that one isn't sideswiped by a situation. Of course in SOTP they take such exercises in strange new directions.

But yes, I believe that choices to refrain from reciprocating a daughters affections when its just you and her ( without the 300 lb gorilla ) will be better carried out in RL because they were chosen by the party who will ultimately be called upon to act when the choice is to be made.

But hey, I'm just talking post-conventional morality here.

Dante

Dante





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