Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Does the majority determine what is right?

Stompy · 11-11-2004, 03:53 PM

History has made it apparent many many times that the majority isn't always right.

There will always be a need for others to want to control the morals of others, but there is no real reason for it except that they can't tolerate others who don't agree with them.

It *should* be based on common sense, but unfortunately it isn't.

Take prostitution for example... why exactly is that illegal?

Or... if a person is able to handle smoking a joint in the privacy of his home without affecting anyone, why is that illegal but alcohol and cigarettes aren't?

Society goes through awkward phases at times that make absolutely no sense, yet people always try to justify and rationalize.

I think the only real answer is the instinct of humans to always want to be at conflict with each other in some way and to show off power. Otherwise, what reasoning do we use for most of the ridiculous laws we create?

I think this country needs to get away from the "what you CAN'T do" mentality as opposed to creating more laws giving us more rights in terms of individual responsibility, yet maybe some restrictions if we misuse those rights.

For example, give individuals the right to smoke, drink, do whatever, but if it gets to a point where they become unruly to society, then isolate (or remove those particular rights) only to those individuals.

It might not be the right way, but neither is Democracy (it just so happens to be the thing that works for the time being).

11-11-2004, 03:53 PM	#15 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	History has made it apparent many many times that the majority isn't always right. There will always be a need for others to want to control the morals of others, but there is no real reason for it except that they can't tolerate others who don't agree with them. It should be based on common sense, but unfortunately it isn't. Take prostitution for example... why exactly is that illegal? Or... if a person is able to handle smoking a joint in the privacy of his home without affecting anyone, why is that illegal but alcohol and cigarettes aren't? Society goes through awkward phases at times that make absolutely no sense, yet people always try to justify and rationalize. I think the only real answer is the instinct of humans to always want to be at conflict with each other in some way and to show off power. Otherwise, what reasoning do we use for most of the ridiculous laws we create? I think this country needs to get away from the "what you CAN'T do" mentality as opposed to creating more laws giving us more rights in terms of individual responsibility, yet maybe some restrictions if we misuse those rights. For example, give individuals the right to smoke, drink, do whatever, but if it gets to a point where they become unruly to society, then isolate (or remove those particular rights) only to those individuals. It might not be the right way, but neither is Democracy (it just so happens to be the thing that works for the time being). __________________ I love lamp.