Quote:
Originally posted by Yorick:
Why say that Pikachu? Idealism is the very thing that drives animal lovers to stamp out this sort of treatment of animals.
I've been buying free range eggs (cage free eggs) for years for example. Dolphin safe tuna. No fur. Shampoos and other products that clearly state no animals were tested.
The fact this has even been brought to light is a result of idealism. Envisioning a future where we do not treat animals in such horrific and calloussed manner. Many societies no longer do. Animal cruelty is illegal in many societies. That fact that there is uproar over this proves our values have collectively changed.
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Ah, you're absolutely right...idealism is what helps stop these things, but how do they do so? The create laws to punish ppl who commit these kinds of acts. I brought your name up because I see these experimenters as good examples of how there are bad/selfish/cruel ppl in the world. I assure you, if no legal actions were brought to bare against these ppl, they would continue the experiments despite an protest by others. Idealism is good, but realistic tools must be used to promote the ideals. These people will not stop being cruel to animals because you, I, and the rest of the Iron works forum gets up and declares "THERE WILL BE NO MORE CRUELTY TO ANIMALS". Punishments must be implemented to have people conform to the ideal--which then begs the question, is the solution then at all ideal?
Of course that begs the greater question...whose ideal? My notion of an ideal society is far from yours I'm sure. I'd like a world where Religion, while accepted and practiced, no longer inhibits the mind and promotes intolerance. You, I'm sure (if I'm wrong--feel free to correct me) would like a world where everybody is Christian. How boring a place that would be---but then, thats my opinion in regards to YOUR (assumed) ideal.
[ 12-07-2003, 11:58 AM: Message edited by: Pikachu_PM ]