Stathis Papaioannou wrote:
> Peter,
>
> We can discuss any subject rationally if we agree on axioms, but the problem is that
> in matters of value, those axioms are ultimately arbitrary.
So you say. I don't agree.
> I believe that capital
> punishment is wrong; not because it is not a good deterrent, or because it is irreversible
> if a mistake is made, but just because it's bad, evil.
You refusal to rationalise moral issues does not show that
it is impossible for others to.
> Other people do not agree with me.
> I can't convince them, they can't convince me, because we disagree on an axiom.
It is possible to have meta-arguments about axioms.
> If
> someone could show me that violent crime has consistently decreased in places where
> capital punishment has been introduced, and further demonstrated a causative link, then
> I might have to concede that I was wrong about my facts, but I would not change my mind
> about capital punishment being wrong, because in the *final* analysis every ethical and
> aesthetic belief has no logical or empirical justification.
Or because you have reasons, objective ones,. that override the
pragmatic consideration..
> Stathis Papaioannou
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Received on Thu Dec 14 2006 - 08:53:16 PST