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Understanding them doesn't mean condoning what they do, or even sympathizing with it. It's obviously so real to them that they are willing to sacrifice the life

Understanding them doesn't mean condoning what they do, or even sympathizing with it. It's obviously so real to them that they are willing to sacrifice the life of another human being in order to improve their own future. I agree that's reprehensible, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't attempt to understand it.

wonderwonder 5y ago
honestly, why? Would you or I understanding lead to some way to stop them doing it? I doubt it. Sometimes actions are egregious enough to stand on their own with no need for rationalization or understanding. They are simply wrong. Most peoples time would be best served simply condemning their actions and seeking to understand things that can benefit the world. With that said, its not hard to comprehend why they do it. People are a product of their environment and if they are raised believing in certain truths that shape their world view, they tend to hold onto those and ignore things that fly in the face of them. They pass those same truths on to their offspring.
- ninjanomnom 5y ago
  Understanding is absolutely one of the best ways to change the behavior of others. Peoples' actions is the result differing forces on them like societal norms, laws, and expected outcomes. One of the best and only longterm solutions for behaviors you don't want is to make changes to the forces surrounding them. Without understanding the forces involved you risk having no effect on the problem or worse. If you're stuck in orbit around the earth and thrust towards the earth in an attempt to get home, you'll just waste a lot of energy and end up further away instead when you run out of fuel before you're done.
mixedCase 5y ago
No. Under that pretense we could justify or at least unjustly minimize the significance of pretty much any atrocity. To piggyback an easy example off current affairs: "Russia can invade Ukraine because under their beliefs they're just one unified people who have been unjustly separated by western influences". There are beliefs who inflict evil upon this world and they must be socially condemned as such, and any crimes committed in the name of such beliefs should be punished with the full weight of the law. I would also personally argue that if the belief pertains to a cult, religion or similar group that encourages sharing the belief that lead to the crime, an additional penalty for criminal incitement should also apply; for any legislation where incitement is a thing that is.
- Jcowell 5y ago
  Where is OP asking to justify or unjustify anything? Again the only thing they recommend is to at least understand. Not empathize, not sympathize, nor moralize. But understand. As programmers (and fields adjacent) it’s seems foolish to react to something before we even understand it.

wonderwonder 5y ago

honestly, why? Would you or I understanding lead to some way to stop them doing it? I doubt it. Sometimes actions are egregious enough to stand on their own with no need for rationalization or understanding. They are simply wrong. Most peoples time would be best served simply condemning their actions and seeking to understand things that can benefit the world. With that said, its not hard to comprehend why they do it. People are a product of their environment and if they are raised believing in certain truths that shape their world view, they tend to hold onto those and ignore things that fly in the face of them. They pass those same truths on to their offspring.

ninjanomnom 5y ago
Understanding is absolutely one of the best ways to change the behavior of others. Peoples' actions is the result differing forces on them like societal norms, laws, and expected outcomes. One of the best and only longterm solutions for behaviors you don't want is to make changes to the forces surrounding them. Without understanding the forces involved you risk having no effect on the problem or worse. If you're stuck in orbit around the earth and thrust towards the earth in an attempt to get home, you'll just waste a lot of energy and end up further away instead when you run out of fuel before you're done.

mixedCase 5y ago

No. Under that pretense we could justify or at least unjustly minimize the significance of pretty much any atrocity. To piggyback an easy example off current affairs: "Russia can invade Ukraine because under their beliefs they're just one unified people who have been unjustly separated by western influences". There are beliefs who inflict evil upon this world and they must be socially condemned as such, and any crimes committed in the name of such beliefs should be punished with the full weight of the law. I would also personally argue that if the belief pertains to a cult, religion or similar group that encourages sharing the belief that lead to the crime, an additional penalty for criminal incitement should also apply; for any legislation where incitement is a thing that is.

Jcowell 5y ago
Where is OP asking to justify or unjustify anything? Again the only thing they recommend is to at least understand. Not empathize, not sympathize, nor moralize. But understand. As programmers (and fields adjacent) it’s seems foolish to react to something before we even understand it.