I watched this
video (above) by Sam Harris on TED the other day.
He was
speaking about how science can be used to answer moral questions.
He believes
that we have the right to judge other cultures.
He assures
us that is not only okay to say that
a nation that doesn't allow women to vote or a culture that keeps its women "in
cloth bags" and cuts out their clitorises is immoral, it is right for us to speak out against such
practices.
And he
teaches us how to justify our stand scientifically.
My first
reaction was one of hope. "Maybe with
a person like Sam Harris in the lead we are
actually moving forward," I thought.
But
something has been bothering me about the video and it grows with each passing
day.
And it is
the fact that he assumes we all have to be convinced of this and that we need to stand behind science.
Only men need
to be convinced that it is right to speak against a
culture that practices something like female genital mutilation.
2 comments:
I love learning about different cultures and different religions...makes me think about what they think...
how could some things ever be acceptable in any culture or religion? I just don't get it..
That was a fantastic speech. It really gets you thinking. Morality is such a complex issue, and it's difficult to get everyone on the same side of the fence. It's actually impossible when you really think about it, and I'm not sure we can ever all agree. But one thing is for sure, and I agree with you on this, men are really the ones that need to be convinced that the practice of genital mutilation is immoral and barbaric. I do believe that we are responsible and accountable for our actions, and that blaming it on 'temptation' is ridiculous. I enjoy learning about other cultures, and particularly like hearing different points of view, but do not accept when human beings are hurt or maimed for cultural or religious beliefs.
Post a Comment