Zone1 Might Makes Right

[buttercup]

Someone’s comment on a thread earlier brought to mind the idea of “might makes right.”

Here’s a definition, for anyone who isn’t sure what it means. According to Oxford English Dictionary...

might is right (also might makes right and variants) : the possession of power, rather than any moral consideration, determines the legitimacy of an action, policy, etc.​

Obviously we see “might makes right” played out all the time in this world.

But is there anyone here who actually believes that might makes right? In other words, is there anyone here who actually believes that mere physical strength and possession of power morally justifies anything that person with power does with it?

Before I say anything more, I want to hear your thoughts on it.

I’m especially curious to hear what the atheists have to say about this.

 

[Blackrook]

It doesn't matter if people believe in "might makes right." It's true whether or not people want it to be true.

 

[buttercup]

It doesn't matter if people believe in "might makes right." It's true whether or not people want it to be true.

It looks like you didn't read the definition. Please go back and read it.

If you actually DO believe that might makes right, I'll give you an example of what you believe: someone can punch a baby in the face for no reason, and it would morally OK, simply because the adult has the strength and power to do so. That's "might makes right."

 

[Blackrook]

Might makes right means we get to keep the land we took from the Indians.

 

[buttercup]

Might makes right means we get to keep the land we took from the Indians.

You're ignoring the definition.

You're giving a very narrow example, but since you brought it up, let me ask you this.... If the US was invaded and conquered by a foreign nation, and jackbooted thugs with machine guns stormed into your house and started killing anyone in sight, in order to take possession of your house..... would their actions be good and morally justifiable in your view? Yes or no?

 

[Blackrook]

You're ignoring the definition.

You're giving a very narrow example, but since you brought it up, let me ask you this.... If the US was invaded and conquered by a foreign nation, and jackbooted thugs with machine guns stormed into your house and started killing anyone in sight, in order to take possession of your house..... would their actions be good and morally justifiable in your view? Yes or no?

You're not understanding what I said.

It doesn't matter how bad someone is, if he wins he writes the history books.

 

[buttercup]

You're not understanding what I said.

It doesn't matter how bad someone is, if he wins he writes the history books.

No one is denying that. I sure didn't, in fact I said: "Obviously we see “might makes right” played out all the time in this world."

The question was not "does might make right exist?" (of course it does)... the question was, is there anyone who actually believes that might (truly) makes right?

 

[Blackrook]

No one is denying that. I sure didn't, in fact I said: "Obviously we see “might makes right” played out all the time in this world."

The question was not "does might make right exist?" (of course it does)... the question was, is there anyone who actually believes that might (truly) makes right?

My point is, it doesn't matter what people think.

 

[buttercup]

My point is, it doesn't matter what people think.

Well... it kinda does, iyam, when it affects those under the boot of the "might makes right" crowd.

 

[Blackrook]

Well... it kinda does, iyam, when it affects those under the boot of the "might makes right" crowd.

Then give your home to an Indian and leave the country.

 

[buttercup]

Then give your home to an Indian and leave the country.

That's like blaming all whites for slavery, instead of the specific people who were actually involved with it.

But I don't know why you keep focusing on that one example while being so blasé about the actual topic and the trillions of other examples. But whatever.

 

[Blackrook]

That's like blaming all whites for slavery, instead of the specific people who were actually involved with it.

But I don't know why you keep focusing on that one example while being so blasé about the actual topic and the trillions of other examples. But whatever.

Ok, let's talk about abortion. That's a perfect example of might makes right.

 

[buttercup]

Ok, let's talk about abortion. That's a perfect example of might makes right.

I agree! That's a very good example of it. And one of the reasons why I'm pro-life.

 

[Blackrook]

Might means right doesn't mean a man gets to hit a woman's baby and get away it. He'll be arrested by the police and punished.

Might means right means a woman can kill her own baby, and it's legal.

 

[eagle1462010]

You're ignoring the definition.

You're giving a very narrow example, but since you brought it up, let me ask you this.... If the US was invaded and conquered by a foreign nation, and jackbooted thugs with machine guns stormed into your house and started killing anyone in sight, in order to take possession of your house..... would their actions be good and morally justifiable in your view? Yes or no?

Id be too dead to care anymore. Crazy examples.

Throughout my life it means the VIctors write History.

Doesnt mean its moral, doesnt mean they are Evil

 

[Blackrook]

The Founding Fathers are "good" because they won their war against the British.

Abraham Lincoln was "good" because he won the Civil War.

LBJ was "bad" because he started a war in Vietnam that the United States lost.

That's what is meant by "might makes right."

 

[buttercup]

Might means right doesn't mean a man gets to hit a woman's baby and get away it. He'll be arrested by the police and punished.

Might means right means a woman can kill her own baby, and it's legal.

Well, whether he gets arrested or not, the person doing that had "might makes right" mindset.

You're defining it in a different way.

 

[buttercup]

Id be too dead to care anymore. Crazy examples.

Throughout my life it means the VIctors write History.

Doesnt mean its moral, doesnt mean they are Evil

Argue with Oxford English dictionary then.

Besides, again, the question was not whether it happens or not, obviously it does all the time. The question was does anyone actually believe in that philosophy?

 

[eagle1462010]

Argue with Oxford English dictionary then.

Besides, again, the question was not whether it happens or not, obviously it does all the time. The question was does anyone actually believe in that philosophy?

Wars are fought usually by 2 sides that believe they are in the right.

The winner proves might makes right.

 

[eagle1462010]

Might makes right" or "Might is right" is an aphorism on the origin of morality, with both descriptive and prescriptive senses. Descriptively, it asserts that a society's view of right and wrong is determined by those in power, with a meaning similar to "History is written by the victors".