View Single Post
Old 04-29-2005, 11:21 AM   #83
Mithalwen
Pilgrim Soul
 
Mithalwen's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle...
Posts: 9,459
Mithalwen is lost in the dark paths of Moria.Mithalwen is lost in the dark paths of Moria.Mithalwen is lost in the dark paths of Moria.Mithalwen is lost in the dark paths of Moria.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lalwendë
And I apologise for not recognising that! I just could not help myself but put in the causal link between the disability and the negative consequences, it's an occupational hazard. And I have to confess, disability issues are a bit of a hobby horse.

.
I certainly wasn't intending to attack the disabled - I chose Special Needs ed for my dissertation and more recently have worked in Supported Housing and for a Trust for Adults with Learning Disabilities so it was the last thing on my mind.

However I do think scientific research will raise difficult ethical issues - but may also help some groups - for example reduce the stigma still attached to mental illness. Now I am thinking of Samuel Butler's Erewhon .....

And evil is such and emotive term but what is the alternative? I don't know if II can completely separate the behaviour from the person a la Lord Soper.. but I do think someone who chooses "an evil path" is vastly more culpable than someone whose path has been forced by their genetic make up.

It isn't easy and I can understand why Tolkien had such trouble with the orcs....

I would expand, but I know that my own examples of evil are likely to offend at least one contributor so I think I will leave it there....
__________________
“But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.”

Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

Last edited by Mithalwen; 04-29-2005 at 11:39 AM.
Mithalwen is offline   Reply With Quote