From: Samantha Atkins (samantha@objectent.com)
Date: Tue Jun 04 2002 - 21:04:21 MDT
Lee Corbin wrote:
> Samantha writes
>>So when do you approve of it? It is certainly possible to
>>believe you have found the best way or the most valid stance
>>without looking down on others who disagree or disparage you and
>>those like you. When do you think it is of value to look down
>>on others?
>>
>
> Pardon the ambiguity of "looking down our noses". I should have
> taken the time to attempt a little more precision; after all,
> that phrase is used almost exclusively when people are criticizing
> discrimination.
>
> Here are some examples of when I approve of looking down upon
> others as inferior and expendable: bacteria in my kitchen; rats
> and other vermin, especially in human dwellings; programs lacking
> awareness and sentience (so far as we understand those terms).
>
> Likewise, I could come up with a list of those we routinely
> disparage or discriminate against: people who are inarticulate,
> stupid, or not well-informed. (Cf. Olga's posts about George Bush.)
But are you saying that these people you also consider 'inferior
and expendable'? It is not clear from your wording.
>
> You write
>
>
>>It is certainly possible to believe you have found the best way...
>>
>
> above. No, it is not possible. That's my whole point: there can
> be no such thing as "the best way" or "the most valid stance".
> When one makes the mistake of thinking that there can be, then
> an intolerance of the views of others arises---an intolerance
> that, unlike some intolerances, is false to facts. I say that
> one should only *approve* or *disapprove* of, say, Sati, the
> act of widows in India killing themselves jumping into the
> funeral pyre (or being thrown). You should not, in my opinion,
> enter into a discussion with people about issues which depend on
> values, with any intent of *proving* them logically incorrect
> or irrational.
>
It is certainly possible to "believe" you have within your
constrainsts and so on. I did not make any absolutist statement
so I am suprised that you respond as if I did.
I agree with your point but I still wonder when if you look down
on people and what you believe that does and does not justify.
- samantha
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