Quote:

bit late in responding to this, but:

Quote:

I think anyone with a heart would find this cruel.I worry for those who dont.



The false universal conceals itself in the habit and or privilege of speaking as if the shape that one's values and preferences assume in concrete social, political or interpersonal contexts is not grounded in cultural, historical or even ideological perspectives but, instead, is reflective a transcendant "natural" order whose validity is obvious to everyone, save the stupid, the primitive, or the morally depraved. In a word, the false universal is a manifestation of history internalized, normalized, and then forgotten as history- at least for those on the inside looking out.

-Sherman A. Jackson,
"Islam(s) East and West: Pluralism between No-Frills and Designer Fundamentalism"



It is a greater sign of intelligence to be able to communicate complex ideas in simple terms than to state simple ideas in complex intellectual jargon; and much less likely to be misconstrued as narcissistic self-aggrandizement.

--E.Y. Davis
"XXX Porn Talk: Re: NFL fans- would you want Michael Vick on your..."


Anywoo, so what? What practical lesson has been learned by realizing that we are not living in the 12th century under the rule of Genghis Khan? That quote isn't saying anything the average elementary school history teacher hasn't said (in more eloquent language I might add).

That does not, and should not, change a single thing. If anything, it strengthens the argument that Vick should be punished more harshly as he is unlucky enough to live in a time when animal torture and murder is beginning to gain traction as a morally reprehensible crime which should be punished harshly. The fact that other times and other cultures may once have looked more lightly upon his crime (and may do so once again), does not rescue him from his current place in time and space.

Furthermore, it is no logical argument against the notion of universal ethical constants to point out that some groups of people disagree with you and behave unethically as that is exactly the reason why we should pursue them. Telling me my views on the cultural time and place that I exist is influenced by "cultural, historical or even ideological perspectives" has all the insight of telling me I can see better with the lights on.


_________________________
--Some of us look for The Way in opium and some in God, some of us in whiskey and some in love. It is all the same Way and it leads nowhither.