[MD] Values

[Ham Priday]

HI Marsha --



> Well, there is the obvious problem, the sadomasochist.  Both the
> Golden Rule and Kant's Categorical Imperative seem to make their
> point-of-view permissible.  How would you define being rational?

You'll note that I said "generally it can be described in terms of the 
Golden Rule."  You have mischievously come up with an exception to this 
rule, but I believe I could make a good case for the irrationality of 
sadomasochism.  In fact, I can think of no deviant behavior, from child 
molestation to shop lifting and xenophobia, that could not be understood as 
irrational by the perpetrator.  I'm not saying that he would admit it, nor 
am I denying that "genetic predisposition" or environmental influences may 
be a factor here, but it is inconceivable to me that a reasonably 
intelligent person could doubt the rationality of anti-social behavior.

With the possible exception of psychotic individuals, the vast majority of 
humans in a free society innately recognize the value of life and respect 
the right of others to behave as they please, provided this behavior does 
not impose on their freedom.  Indeed, our laws are written from this 
rational point of view.  So that the social deviant need only be informed of 
these laws (which are often read to him after the initial offense) in order 
to be aware of his unreasonable behavior.  Even if one cannot comprehend 
that what harms his fellows harms himself, there is little excuse for 
irrational conduct in a society founded on rational principles.

--Ham