And there's belief number one, right there, so I guess the conversation starts here - how strong is the correlation between effective and ethical?
You're talking to someone who doesn't even
have a clear understanding of what is right or
wrong. So, though I can assess what is effective,
no chance in hell that I can do so with ethics.
Now, if you want to argue from societal ethics,
I don't think you'll find me in any disagreement.
I've mostly agreed with Marvin Harris, who exemplifies
this school of sociology. Whatever mechanisms we
tend to see as right - whatever taboos there are, almost
all have some basis in survival mechanisms.
I use "is it effective?" as a safeguard question against self-destructive cycles, which is part of where I got the idea that effectiveness=good. Are you interested in arguing this one? Cause if you are, I'll go dig out the essay where I first became convinced that the correlation is stronger than commonly thought. But I don't want to start pontificating otherwise.
But, I don't view self destruction as less ethical
than survival. Indeed, as I've stated before, I see
destruction as somewhat more beautiful, and thus
preferable. So, without some significant change in
the whole style of proof, you're not likely to budge
me.
And I suppose this ties into your oppostion to whoever seems to have too much power here on Intensity?
A softball, if I've ever seen one.
I'm sure there's a similarity. I dislike anything
'unfair' whatever the fuck that means.
Oh look, I still can't hit anything that's not
thrown hard.