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I do not consciously support slavery. I just find some objection to the apparent false dichotomy that beating slaves is a sound path to their freedom. If (and

I do not consciously support slavery. I just find some objection to the apparent false dichotomy that beating slaves is a sound path to their freedom. If (and it's a very big if), the only way to end slavery is to have slaves be beaten, then you might have a good point. However, I can think of no way to verify that, nor can I think of any evidence in support of that premise that can withstand even most most basic scrutiny. >How much different would the world be if Hitler had announced from day 1 his play to conquer Europe and massacre millions of people? How do you know he didn't?

AnimalMuppet 11y ago
> How do you know he didn't? In particular, Mein Kampf comes pretty close.
Retra 11y ago
Would you allow yourself to be beaten if it meant your children could be free? Or would you rather let your children be slaves and neither of you be beaten? This isn't just about slavery: it could apply to any war-like situation. But if you aren't being beaten as a slave, how are you resisting slavery? Your owner just lets you get away with not doing what you're told? Because I really don't see how not resisting is supposed to end slavery, and I don't see how avoiding beatings is any kind of resistance.
- jsprogrammer 11y ago
  Surely there are other ways to resist slavery than being beaten? If there were some highly effective and rapid communication system, for example, the slaves could possibly organize and GTFO before their owners had any way to stop them. Yes, there's the chance that it could turn bloody, but I can imagine scenarios where it might end peacefully (as far as one can imagine such a hypothetical).
  - Retra 11y ago
    Even if such a thing were possible, it seems highly unlikely that a bunch of slaves could pull it off successfully. How's a slave going to gain access to a high-speed communication network in a way that doesn't immediately prompt retribution? Slaves are either compliant or tortured for not being compliant. That's why slavery is so brutal; if your owner doesn't beat you, he'll either kill you or sell you to someone who will. There's really no other option for dealing with a slave who refuses to obey. (And I don't see how a compliant slave can help end slavery.) > I can imagine scenarios where it might end peacefully How? People who legally own slaves aren't going to just let their slaves walk away anymore than any company now is going to let their employees walk away with all their profits.

AnimalMuppet 11y ago

> How do you know he didn't? In particular, Mein Kampf comes pretty close.

Retra 11y ago

Would you allow yourself to be beaten if it meant your children could be free? Or would you rather let your children be slaves and neither of you be beaten? This isn't just about slavery: it could apply to any war-like situation. But if you aren't being beaten as a slave, how are you resisting slavery? Your owner just lets you get away with not doing what you're told? Because I really don't see how not resisting is supposed to end slavery, and I don't see how avoiding beatings is any kind of resistance.

jsprogrammer 11y ago
Surely there are other ways to resist slavery than being beaten? If there were some highly effective and rapid communication system, for example, the slaves could possibly organize and GTFO before their owners had any way to stop them. Yes, there's the chance that it could turn bloody, but I can imagine scenarios where it might end peacefully (as far as one can imagine such a hypothetical).
- Retra 11y ago
  Even if such a thing were possible, it seems highly unlikely that a bunch of slaves could pull it off successfully. How's a slave going to gain access to a high-speed communication network in a way that doesn't immediately prompt retribution? Slaves are either compliant or tortured for not being compliant. That's why slavery is so brutal; if your owner doesn't beat you, he'll either kill you or sell you to someone who will. There's really no other option for dealing with a slave who refuses to obey. (And I don't see how a compliant slave can help end slavery.) > I can imagine scenarios where it might end peacefully How? People who legally own slaves aren't going to just let their slaves walk away anymore than any company now is going to let their employees walk away with all their profits.