Paramount Theatre
Moral Complexity Is Lazy; Moral Certainty Is Hard
RECEIVED Mon., June 8, 2009
Dear Editor,
Re: “Page Two,” June 5: The ironic hypocrisy displayed by your condemnation of moral certainty is that you display remarkable moral certainty even though you contend there is no moral certainty. Confusion abounds.
You reveal several examples, so let’s take just one. Your comments regarding abortion reflect massive revulsion of anti-abortion advocates who encourage the bitter excoriation and, in some cases, “murder” of abortion providers. On the other hand, you ignore the fact that all abortions mean the destruction of nascent human life and that late-term abortions are certainly homicide. Apparently you’re unwilling to label late-term abortion providers as equally evil as those who call for the murder of said abortion providers. So you belie your own position by revealing moral certainty in your abhorrence of anti-abortion advocates.
While your position shows strong moral judgment, you conversely state that “complexity” dictates “complicating many judgments” ergo no moral clarity. So again confusion reigns. You’re obviously in blissful denial. But in reality your position is not logical and terribly incoherent. A rational person can only say – huh?
Clearly you are a moral relativist. This thought process is the result of moral/intellectual laziness. It’s created to purposefully avoid the hard work of objective truth telling. While this is only human, it is extremely destructive. And on this 65th observance of D-Day, it’s especially appropriate to condemn your hypocritical indolence and warn of its dangers.
Those young American warrior heroes scorned “complexity” to “condemn others” so you and all who don’t think critically are free to wallow in popular hip moral/intellectual nihilism. So be thankful. However, in honor of them, the truth of your view must be judged openly as mortally pernicious to liberty and humanity. You shame yourself! And note – this conclusion is not complex. Indeed, it is morally and intellectually clear.
Re: “Page Two,” June 5: The ironic hypocrisy displayed by your condemnation of moral certainty is that you display remarkable moral certainty even though you contend there is no moral certainty. Confusion abounds.
You reveal several examples, so let’s take just one. Your comments regarding abortion reflect massive revulsion of anti-abortion advocates who encourage the bitter excoriation and, in some cases, “murder” of abortion providers. On the other hand, you ignore the fact that all abortions mean the destruction of nascent human life and that late-term abortions are certainly homicide. Apparently you’re unwilling to label late-term abortion providers as equally evil as those who call for the murder of said abortion providers. So you belie your own position by revealing moral certainty in your abhorrence of anti-abortion advocates.
While your position shows strong moral judgment, you conversely state that “complexity” dictates “complicating many judgments” ergo no moral clarity. So again confusion reigns. You’re obviously in blissful denial. But in reality your position is not logical and terribly incoherent. A rational person can only say – huh?
Clearly you are a moral relativist. This thought process is the result of moral/intellectual laziness. It’s created to purposefully avoid the hard work of objective truth telling. While this is only human, it is extremely destructive. And on this 65th observance of D-Day, it’s especially appropriate to condemn your hypocritical indolence and warn of its dangers.
Those young American warrior heroes scorned “complexity” to “condemn others” so you and all who don’t think critically are free to wallow in popular hip moral/intellectual nihilism. So be thankful. However, in honor of them, the truth of your view must be judged openly as mortally pernicious to liberty and humanity. You shame yourself! And note – this conclusion is not complex. Indeed, it is morally and intellectually clear.
Vance McDonald
[Louis Black responds: There are many different reasons why people oppose abortion. Many do it from an absolute moral conviction that all life is sacred and life begins at conception. I respect completely if you disagree with this position. I have no respect or sympathy for anyone who opposes abortion but advocates the murder of doctors. In the same way I have no respect for any person or group who advocates murder for any reason.]