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>Philosophical problems aren't solved by legislation, it is important that people stop looking towards lawmakers to push their morals. Murder, rape and theft a

>Philosophical problems aren't solved by legislation, it is important that people stop looking towards lawmakers to push their morals. Murder, rape and theft are all philosophical questions, why are they easier to resolve through legislation?

leetcrew 8y ago
I mean, we have laws about murder, rape, and theft, but are the questions actually resolved? did george zimmerman murder trayvon martin or did he justifiably kill him in self defense? if you pick a young woman and an old man at random, will they agree on the definition of "rape"? will either of their definitions be reflected by the law in their jurisdiction? we do our best (most of us at least) to create laws that are just and fair, but ultimately law is a pragmatic measure taken to prevent societal collapse. murder is illegal because you can't have a viable society where anyone can kill anyone else at any time without penalty. whether or not you treat dying patients humanely doesn't really threaten the stability of a nation in the same way.
colechristensen 8y ago
What isn't philosophical question? You could say "nothing" and defend it well but that transforms my point from "some things are better off solved with other than laws" to "laws are pointless". Obviously I'm not trying to say the latter. The issues you mention aren't philosophical questions in the way I am trying to express because there really isn't much of an open question. How many people are openly advocating that murder is generally acceptable? There are corner cases, specific instances, etc. that are up for debate but on the whole there is little question, murder is wrong and there need to be legal remedies when it happens. That is wholly different from the end-of-life issues we are talking about. People's opinions and behaviors are all over the map and there is generally no consensus about anything. It is not a problem that is obvious and it is not a problem which has existed for much time. Murder has existed forever, the ethical question about when and how to use medicine to extend life is very new and has had only a little public discourse.

leetcrew 8y ago

I mean, we have laws about murder, rape, and theft, but are the questions actually resolved? did george zimmerman murder trayvon martin or did he justifiably kill him in self defense? if you pick a young woman and an old man at random, will they agree on the definition of "rape"? will either of their definitions be reflected by the law in their jurisdiction? we do our best (most of us at least) to create laws that are just and fair, but ultimately law is a pragmatic measure taken to prevent societal collapse. murder is illegal because you can't have a viable society where anyone can kill anyone else at any time without penalty. whether or not you treat dying patients humanely doesn't really threaten the stability of a nation in the same way.

colechristensen 8y ago

What isn't philosophical question? You could say "nothing" and defend it well but that transforms my point from "some things are better off solved with other than laws" to "laws are pointless". Obviously I'm not trying to say the latter. The issues you mention aren't philosophical questions in the way I am trying to express because there really isn't much of an open question. How many people are openly advocating that murder is generally acceptable? There are corner cases, specific instances, etc. that are up for debate but on the whole there is little question, murder is wrong and there need to be legal remedies when it happens. That is wholly different from the end-of-life issues we are talking about. People's opinions and behaviors are all over the map and there is generally no consensus about anything. It is not a problem that is obvious and it is not a problem which has existed for much time. Murder has existed forever, the ethical question about when and how to use medicine to extend life is very new and has had only a little public discourse.