Shunning
Basketactortale
Shipmate
in Purgatory
This is a difficult question. I will try to define it simply so it isn't sidetracked into a debate about current events.
A previously unknown planet has been discovered which is populated by humans with a very similar DNA to our own.
In an effort at extra-planetary colonialism, over the decades we engage with these people. And once it is discovered that there are resources that might be useful on Planet Earth, the inhabitants are imprisoned, harassed and eventually wiped out.
In some parts of Planet Earth the people involved in this genocide are lauded.
So the question is this: should you, as an individual, shun an individual that left Planet Earth on a mission that led to the genocide of a population on the other planet?
Why or why not and how are you determining complicity?
Generally I think it is right to attempt to reform criminals, even when personally I find their actions utterly deplorable. But I think I draw the line at genocide.
A previously unknown planet has been discovered which is populated by humans with a very similar DNA to our own.
In an effort at extra-planetary colonialism, over the decades we engage with these people. And once it is discovered that there are resources that might be useful on Planet Earth, the inhabitants are imprisoned, harassed and eventually wiped out.
In some parts of Planet Earth the people involved in this genocide are lauded.
So the question is this: should you, as an individual, shun an individual that left Planet Earth on a mission that led to the genocide of a population on the other planet?
Why or why not and how are you determining complicity?
Generally I think it is right to attempt to reform criminals, even when personally I find their actions utterly deplorable. But I think I draw the line at genocide.
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Maybe. But I think my main priority should be fighting against my government to stop the policy of colonization. Because there's not much point in saying "I'm gonna shun Bob 'cuz he spent a decade in Orion's Belt helping to wipe out another civilization to grab their resources" if I'm otherwise happy to allow the colonization to continue and its benefits to enhance my material comfort.
I think there's a level that you are shunning yourself though. If it is really true that this colonial enterprise went out "on behalf of" Planet Earth then you can't help being complicit.
Well, that's why my most moral option, I think, is to fight against the colonization policy. Not sure that qualifies as "shunning myself".
I see an assumption that all the people involved in this colonisation had the same degree of choice about being involved. Aside from conscripted colonisers, to what extent is participating in colonisation influenced by it being related to being able or allowed to have a family of one's own? Or the promise of land, or other benefits or freedoms? (These kind of issues have themselves been explored in various forms of fiction, aside from human history.)
Another question that occurs to me is whether the act of colonising, in itself, can be considered right or wrong. Maybe it's baked into humanity's history. (I believe things didn't turn out well for the Neanderthals.)
And I do believe that repentance is always possible. That said, it's a terrible thing.
I have family in the military and all of them have been involved in what I regard as unjust wars. It's something I've struggle with myself sometimes.
It's about showing your displeasure of a person who might otherwise walk around thinking that everyone agrees with them.
Presumably you believe in prison? Isn't that a form of shunning from society?
And either way, is shunning necessary to express that displeasure? Is it even the most effective way to express displeasure?
If you don’t want them to walk around thinking everyone agrees with them, you can use your words.
Maybe the person who was a high-ranking soldier involved in the genocide I described above thinks that they were morally justified. Maybe they even think that they were acting on my behalf and therefore deserve some kind of deference from me.
Shunning seems to me to be quite effective, especially in circumstances where laws prevent other forms of protest.
Effective for what purpose? What is the goal of the shunning? What laws might prevent you from saying you disapprove of what someone did?
Could you give an example?
Which I think is where this thread belongs. I'm gonna suggest that to the mods, regardless of what you or anyone else decide to post or not post.
For those reasons, I am going to close these thread, annd invite any interested shipmate to frame an appropriate Epiphanies op.
Doublethink, Admin