Quote:
Originally Posted by Ustwo
I do not agree that civilization requires a relinquishment of private violence. Private violence has been a cornerstone of civilized society until only recently. Dueling of sorts has been a part of our civilized history for ages. Such duels were at times legal, or at times illegal but they were thought of as legitimate means of resolving a dispute between equals.
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Certainly there is a history of lex talionis, but i would suggest that this process is not compatible with the modern state as we know it.
take this case for instance. democracy holds that the citzen is the basic unit of society, and despite difference or conflict between groups or individuals (in this situation, a homophobic expression of anger), all citizens are required to affirm the idea of the nation over and against any of those private claims. The alternative is the war of all against all. If we affirm this expression of violence, or any like it...we deny our beleif in the rule of law.