this post was submitted on 19 Sep 2023
1233 points (88.4% liked)

Comic Strips

12735 readers
2858 users here now

Comic Strips is a community for those who love comic stories.

The rules are simple:

Web of links

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I never said I'm not willing to get blood on my hands. Violence can be required. It's an unfortunate sign though that we have already failed badly. However, if violence is required, it should be controlled, and focused. A mob beating with fists is spontaneous, a mob using baseball bats is a lynching.

The difference between a mob and a militia is in the organisation and responsibilities. A militia has a chain of command, and so someone who can stop things going too far. They can also make sure the actual job is done, rather than straying into mindless violence.

If violence is required, we are morally required to apply it. However, we are also morally required to apply it precisely in controlled amounts, towards the required goal. Otherwise we can easily degenerate into the exact thing we claim to fight.

The other thing to remember is that we can be baited. Mindless violence might feel good, but if it doesn't advance the cause, it's worthless. Even worse, it can justify the actions of the other side, even if the balance is still disproportionate.