Give or take a bit, I think I agree with the assertion. I believe that individual rights are the best chance we have to build a fair and functionally ethical society. As such, respecting those rights (whatever they may be - this is subject both to opinion and to variation) can constitute the "decency" in question. But again, it's about what "should" means - without specifying a basis for morality it's difficult to say what we "should" or "shouldn't" do.
Is it possible that the writer is asserting "should in the prevailing opinion of the society under discussion"? In that case it is not clear whether the assertion is true or false.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Discuss
Date: 2003-04-01 02:10 am (UTC)Give or take a bit, I think I agree with the assertion. I believe that individual rights are the best chance we have to build a fair and functionally ethical society. As such, respecting those rights (whatever they may be - this is subject both to opinion and to variation) can constitute the "decency" in question. But again, it's about what "should" means - without specifying a basis for morality it's difficult to say what we "should" or "shouldn't" do.
Is it possible that the writer is asserting "should in the prevailing opinion of the society under discussion"? In that case it is not clear whether the assertion is true or false.