CompuServe Thread

#social do-gooders

5 messages in this thread
#166557From: Don Curtis/SYSOPOct 6, 1994 2:07 PM
Garry, A little more complex than that. First, taking or violating property rights requires that there is some right to be violated. So you first have to define what constitutes a right, and how one intreprets such rights…or are they absolute? And since our definition of right in the area of weapons differs, then obviously our definition of what constitutes 'taking or violating' that right also differs. Don
#166641From: Garry NelsonOct 6, 1994 11:27 PM
Don – You cut to the quick on this one, and I appreciate such insightfulness. Might we then digress into what the Founding Fathers meant by the phrase 'unalienable rights'? Garry Nelson
#166786From: Don Curtis/SYSOPOct 8, 1994 12:40 AM
Garry, I can only presume they meant rights that are inherent in being alive. Rights that we all have, but that can't be used to remove those same rights from another. For example if my right to the pursuit of happiness meant that I had to deprive someone else of their liberty…then their right to liberty is 'greater' than my right to happiness. In other words, there is no absolute, all rights must be relative to each other individual's rights. Don
#166798From: Garry NelsonOct 8, 1994 3:20 AM
Don – Given your definition, my right to 'life' is limited by your right to 'pursuit of happiness'. I hope you aren't a disgrunted postal worker (G). But in all seriousness, where you see conflict, I see harmony. Absolute rights to 'life' and 'pursuit of happiness' can only be consumated and fulfilled with the complimentary unalienable right to 'liberty'. Garry Nelson
#166879From: Don Curtis/SYSOPOct 9, 1994 1:14 AM
Garry, I certainly agree with the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Again, as long as you don't step on someone else's selfsame rights in do so doing. Actually, my basic philosophy is, 'If it feels good…do it…as long as you don't hurt someone else in the process.' Don