The "apples and oranges" objection is a fallacy. It is perfectly valid to compare the relative risks of different behaviors.
@Timothy_C_Lee The intent of objects or people? People's intentions are definitely part of the moral landscape.
-
-
@SamHarrisOrg in other words, you can use a lion as a watch dog or comb your hair with a stick of dynamite. Design matters -
@Timothy_C_Lee Design matters insofar as it imposes actual danger. The intentions of the designer alone don't matter (much). -
@SamHarrisOrg I agree Sam, but we cannot pretend intent doesn't normally influence both design and consequence -
@Timothy_C_Lee Unfortunately, the link is not direct. We will probably have safe guns (e.g. "super tasers") before we have safe cars. -
@SamHarrisOrg Point taken, but I can't imagine a heavily armed society landing on a peak of the moral landscape, can you? -
@Timothy_C_Lee I agree. If we were on a peak on the moral landscape, this conversation would be almost unintelligible. -
@SamHarrisOrg Ah, so would your contention be that we are powerless to influence society toward a peak thru our own actions or words? -
@Timothy_C_Lee Not at all. But movement "up" is not always straightforward. Why not have cops and good people get rid of their guns first? - 3 more replies
New conversation -
-
-
@SamHarrisOrg You might say the "intent" of the weapon is its designed purpose. Killing is what it is best at, good for. -
@Timothy_C_Lee Not so fast. Statistics indicate that what handguns are BEST at is causing miscreants to flee the scene without a shot fired. -
@eachus not so sure about stats - I think more often the well intended citizen succeeds in getting them self or a first responder killed -
@Timothy_C_Lee I am sure about the stats. You are simply wrong. By a very long way. -
@eachus ok quote your source and I'll be happy to look it up. Though please don't cite the NRA or Fox News -
@Timothy_C_Lee First, your dismissal of NRA figures would be a mistake. Being on the other side of the argument does not make them wrong.
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.