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US military mulls attacking Somali pirates' land bases; pirates vow revenge

Of course not. My post asking you if animals actually hijack ships for money was an attempt at humor. Sorry that it was lost on you.

No, I got it. But your follow-up was quite literal.


I just think it's funny that people characterize people they don't like as something non-human because it helps them to dislike them more. It adds absolutely nothing to the discussion and is based purely in emotion. That was my only point. If you don't like or agree with my take on it, oh well. :lol:

Well, OK, Mr. Psychoanalyst. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. This is one of those times.
 
I can understand the motivation of all kinds of crime, even heinous ones. That makes them no less evil. And your willingness to make excuses for it doesn't make you somehow more noble. Some things are simply beyond the pale.

(And the "kill 'em all solution" has, historically, been very effective for all sorts of things -- including piracy. I know people love to throw out the old trope "violence never solves anything," but in truth, it's as effective as anything else. That's reality of history. You may not like it; you may wish it were otherwise, but it's still so.)

Violence ended the piracy 200 years ago during the Barbary wars when Jihadist pirates first thought it would be a good idea to take American ships passing the horn of Africa as booty and their crews as hostages, again it looks like the Jihadists have misjudged the American response.
 
Exactly. They're humans as well and the path they chose is also understandable. The difference is in our country they have a ton of other options.

They're not animals, they're human beings.

Since you seem to be wanting to push this to the point of absurdity . . .

They're human beings who choose not to act like civilized ones.

Tell me, what's the difference between human and animal, if not civilization? That's a serious question.
 
No, I got it. But your follow-up was quite literal.

It certainly wasn't meant to be takent hat way.

Well, OK, Mr. Psychoanalyst. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. This is one of those times.

I never said I was a Psychoanalyst. :roll:
 
Since you seem to be wanting to push this to the point of absurdity . . .

They're human beings who choose not to act like civilized ones.

Sure. Of course civilized society has been raping, pillaging, and stealing from other societies since the dawn of civilization. Also, Somalia as a whole largely is not civilized.

Tell me, what's the difference between human and animal, if not civilization? That's a serious question.

Sentience, conscience, language, complex emotions, intelligence, imagination, understanding....
 
Sure. Of course civilized society has been raping, pillaging, and stealing from other societies since the dawn of civilization.

And it was evil.

Also, Somalia as a whole largely is not civilized.

So? It only works into my point.


Sentience, conscience, language, complex emotions, intelligence, imagination, understanding....

There are various animals who display all of that.
 
Tell me, what's the difference between human and animal, if not civilization? That's a serious question.

DNA, cognitive abilities, vast intelligence and extelligence. etc.
 
And it was evil.

Sure, people commit acts of evil all the time sometimes systematically even. That doesn't make them evil and it certainly does not make them inhuman.

"Judge not lest ye be judged."

So? It only works into my point.

Your point that civilization is the best measure of humanity? I don't think so.

There are various animals who display all of that.

Not really...
 
There are various animals who display all of that.

Well when animals make huge cities, advancements in medical technologies, arts, science, etc. I may concede you the point.
 
Well when animals make huge cities, advancements in medical technologies, arts, science, etc. I may concede you the point.

That would be civilization.
 
The Islamists eliminated the Pirates and piracy by making it illegal and enforcing the law .... 6 whole months before US and Ethiopia overthrew the Islamist Government allowing piracy to start again :doh

lol the pirates ARE the Islamists, the pirates are al-Shabaab al-Mujahadeen, the pirates are ****ing Mujis.
 
Sure, people commit acts of evil all the time sometimes systematically even. That doesn't make them evil

What, then, makes someone evil?


"Judge not lest ye be judged."

Take your own advice, dude. You've been judging me this whole exchange.


Your point that civilization is the best measure of humanity? I don't think so.

Then what is? Simple genetic code?
 
Well when animals make huge cities, advancements in medical technologies, arts, science, etc. I may concede you the point.

Think about your criteria, then apply them to the animal kingdom.

Huge cities: Ant colonies, huge, well organized, efficient.

Beaver dams, ask an engineer, not just about construction, but environmental impact.

Medical technology: How many species can regenerate lost limbs?

How many species produce the ingredients found in "our" medicines?

Art/Science Spider webs

catepillar/butterfly/metamorphasis


It's funny how people look at humans as the intelligent/superior species, yet how many of the habits/techniques have we adopted through the ages from the animal kingdom?
 
What, then, makes someone evil?

I don't know. Unless you're intimately familiar with a person's thoughts and intentions (God) you're not in a position to make that judgment.

Take your own advice, dude. You've been judging me this whole exchange.

Point out where please.

Then what is? Simple genetic code?

The higher mind, which animals lack and makes them incapable of committing acts of evil.
 
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That would be civilization.

Part of it yes. We have the capability of making these things, animals do not. Civilization exists because we have the ability to make it. Human isn't defined, however, through civilization. People can live outside "civilization", they're still human.
 
So nothing can make a man good or evil? :confused:

No, because there is no absolute morality that everyone subscribes to defining good and evil. People all have their own personal perceptions and opinions of what is good and what is evil.

For instance, considering that these pirates are humans and not animals do you think that they perceive what they are doing as evil?
 
Think about your criteria, then apply them to the animal kingdom.

Huge cities: Ant colonies, huge, well organized, efficient.

Beaver dams, ask an engineer, not just about construction, but environmental impact.

Medical technology: How many species can regenerate lost limbs?

How many species produce the ingredients found in "our" medicines?

Art/Science Spider webs

catepillar/butterfly/metamorphasis


It's funny how people look at humans as the intelligent/superior species, yet how many of the habits/techniques have we adopted through the ages from the animal kingdom?

Ant colonies and spider webs have nothing on human technology and intelligence. Sorry.
 
He'll say that "good" is also a subjective term, oh the idiocy of moral relativists, they'll justify anything from pedophilia to piracy.

Perhaps you should actually try and contribute to the conversation rather than using lame insults.
 
I don't know. Unless you're intimately familiar with a persons thoughts and intentions (God) you're not in a position to make that judgment.

It's a nice dodge, but you still define "evil" down to meaninglessness.


Point out where please.

Every post you've directed at me.


The higher mind, which animals lack and makes them incapable of committing acts of evil.

By your own statement above, how can you know this?

And what is an "act of evil"?
 
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