Take your example of paedophilia. Yes, it's wrong. But what if the person perpetrating it is themselves the victim of abuse? Research shows that many abused children grow up to become abusers. Should we puish these people as harshly as those who have no excuse for their actions? And what about those who are considered below-average in intelligence? I know of three cases off the top of my head involving abuse of children by people who are intellectually handicapped, to the point they are children themselves. And, for that matter, what about other children who abuse? It happens. Should we treat all child abusers the same way? Of course not. But that's what people would have us do, because they see only the absolute - "Paedophilia is wrong." Absolutes, as I said, restrict our thinking, and our options.
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Re: Yes and no...
Date: 2002-05-22 01:12 am (UTC)Take your example of paedophilia. Yes, it's wrong. But what if the person perpetrating it is themselves the victim of abuse? Research shows that many abused children grow up to become abusers. Should we puish these people as harshly as those who have no excuse for their actions? And what about those who are considered below-average in intelligence? I know of three cases off the top of my head involving abuse of children by people who are intellectually handicapped, to the point they are children themselves. And, for that matter, what about other children who abuse? It happens. Should we treat all child abusers the same way? Of course not. But that's what people would have us do, because they see only the absolute - "Paedophilia is wrong." Absolutes, as I said, restrict our thinking, and our options.
*grins* Just playing Devil's Advocate a bit. ;)