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> Well let me be the devil's advocate here and ask why. because there's civil unrest otherwise.
by drekipus 4y ago
> Well let me be the devil's advocate here and ask why.
because there's civil unrest otherwise.
- marginalia_nu 4y agoOk, let's permit ourselves to think the unthinkable through to the conclusion rather than immediately withdraw: Why can't there just be civil unrest?
- malnourish 4y agoI would personally rather live in a safe society with happy and comfortable people, to the fullest extent possible.
- blitz_skull 4y agoI would personally like to live in a society that glorifies violence, and promotes survival of the fittest. A society filled with suffering and strength. I'm playing devil's advocate, but indeed there are those who agree with that statement. Who gets to decide which is right?
- imtringued 4y agoWe routinely abandon that strategy because it is highly inefficient.
- kelseyfrog 4y agoThis is a really good example of how devil's advocate strategies don't actually add to furthering or strengthening a discussion. Categorically they add friction to the conversation without providing a benefit. Arguments from DA-proponents only provides more evidence of this position.
- HWR_14 4y agoDevils advocate strategies have nothing to do with the post you are responding to. That was just contrary assertions- which is just bad argumentation.
- kelseyfrog 4y ago> I'm playing devil's advocate Maybe you saw another post?
- HWR_14 4y agoI saw it. He's not actually playing devil's advocate, just using the name. It's like the People's Democratic Republic of Korea.
- kelseyfrog 4y agoIf you come across a devil's advocate let me know. I've only seen the People's Democratic Republic of Devil's Advocation and the I Actually Believe This But I'm Too Afraid To Say It types.
- twobitshifter 4y agocollectively societies decide and create laws to that effect. Some societies have laws that include decapitation, severing limbs, and stoning. Others see this behavior as inhumane.
- imgabe 4y agoThere can be. It is a thing that can possibly happen for sure. The question is why would you prefer there being civil unrest to there not being civil unrest? And if you prefer the latter why would you not exercise whatever power you have to realize your preference?
- jacquesm 4y agoI've seen this sentiment embodied like this: if you could choose the shape of the world that you will be born in, but not into what house you will be born then that's the world you should strive to create.
- UncleMeat 4y agoThe devil has enough advocates. Is it really necessary to argue against the very idea of goodness itself?
- marginalia_nu 4y agoI'm definitely not opposed to goodness, I'm just not convinced by this line of reasoning this is.
- leereeves 4y agoIf your only concern is self interest, you should consider what happens to the "elite" in a revolution. The phrase "civil unrest" is far too tame; it doesn't even begin to conjure the horrors that people are capable of when they get angry enough.
- marginalia_nu 4y agoIsn't the angry mob also acting in self interest? If the well-being of others is what they actually care about, why can't they enjoy the well-being of the likes of Richard Branson? Anyway, if death is the price you have to pay for living a life true to yourself, in accordance with your values, in accordance with what you think is right and not what you think will appease some hypothetical angry mob, then so be it. Surely it's better to live a short life true to what you believe, than a slightly longer life lacking any sense of integrity.
- leereeves 4y agoYes, the angry mob is acting according to the values you espouse here. That's the natural consequence of pure self interest. And that's why pure self interest is something to be avoided even by people who only care about themselves. Some elites might imagine that they can remain on top forever, unaffected by the violence and oppression they inflict on others. History suggests otherwise.
- 4y ago
- city17 4y agoThis is an example where philosophical questions get detached from reality. While it can be an interesting thought experiment, intuitively you already know the answer, and if you would live through civil unrest yourself you would stop doubting that answer for sure.
- imtringued 4y agoCivil unrest is a market clearing mechanism. When you think about that, there is no way declared to be free markets are actually free.