From: Valence (valence10@hotmail.com)
Date: Mon Mar 17 2003 - 22:12:19 GMT
Hey Sam,
Thanks for you comments and questions.
SAM
> Two questions really.
> The first is that the point about polygamy only has weight in terms of
> assertions about human nature - ie that "Those other 6 guys are going to
> withdraw their consent and support from the social structure that permits
> such an absurdity, and if they can... they'll tear it down." Would you
> accept that, as a general principle (and leaving lots of complications to
> one side) a society which respects fundamental biological drives has
higher
> quality than one that does not?
RICK
Well, that's alot of complications to put to the side, but as a very, very
general principle, I believe I would accept your statement. Society must
either find ways to respect biological drives or else it must have the
strength to control the biologically driven by force.
SAM
> Secondly, do you think that there is an equivalent biological point
relating
> to the nurture of children, ie that biological parents will have an
> intrinsically stronger interest in the welfare of their children than
other
> people will, they will want to see their children flourish, and they will
> (in general) act according to that interest in their choices?
RICK
This is a very tough question. One which I'm not sure I'm really qualified
to answer. In the brief time I spent clerking for a Judge in NY State
Family Court I saw plenty of cases in which biological parents did some
horrible things to their natural children (and not just fathers, often
mothers do unspeakable things to their babies). Ultimately, I think that
being a 'good and loving parent' comes from a person being 'good and loving'
and not from just being a parent.
take care
rick
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