Brent Meeker writes:
> > If we discovered some million year old civilization today I think wonder
> > at its achievements, however paltry, would far outweigh dismay at its
> > wickedness, however extreme. I'm not sure what the significance of this
> > observation is.
>
> I don't think it's true. My exhibit A is the Aztecs.
>
> Brent Meeker
> There is a certain impertinence in allowing oneself
> to be burned for an opinion.
> -- Anatole France
>
The Aztecs aren't a million years old. The further removed it is from us
(literally and metaphorically), the less we worry about the ethical
considerations. If some far future nonhuman civilization dug up the Nazis
their children might very well want the equivalent of Adolf Hitler dolls for
Christmas, even if their ethical standards turn out to be similar to our
own. In the long run, fascination trumps horror.
Stathis Papaioannou
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Received on Mon Feb 12 2007 - 03:35:11 PST