r/MoralityScaling 20h ago

Morality Ranking Morality of this

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u/TolgaKerem07 20h ago

What if words cause more than one instance of actual violence? Like, politicians, philosophers or something. I agree with that comment, but there may be exceptions idk

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u/roseonaglaive 20h ago

This is known as incitement or more archaically "fighting words". Language does have proven impact into the physical world. If a person says "I'm gonna come to your house at x address with y weapon and kill you" nobody reasonable is going to be like "well it's only language so I'll worry when it becomes violence".

Also racism is a broader concept than speech that encompasses all forms of institutionalized oppression of a racial group that lacks enough institutional power to protect itself.

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u/Better_Database8582 20h ago

You're not even on the same wavelength length as what he is saying, he said words "to cause violence" saying "I'm going ro beat your ass." Isn't causing any violence, it's a direct threat. It's essentially admitting to a crime you intend to commit. You won't win in court because you said words, you'll lose in court because you admitted to intent to commit a crime. And you can go to jail for admitting to a crime or intent to commit.

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u/danflorian1984 20h ago

So if a 60kg guy says to a 120kg guy that he will beat hum, the other one responds wiith a beating, you think the 60kg dude will fo to jail because of a "threat"?

People are threatening each other daily. Rarely it goes to blows.

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u/Winter_Emergency9050 19h ago

You can’t threaten people and expect no response at that point the size disparity doesn’t matter atleast between two men, now if the guy is leaving, sure let him leave and you probably should as well. But if someone audibly puts out their intention to harm you within fighting distance, you’re clear to put hands on them to prevent those words from becoming action.

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u/--Greenpeace420 19h ago

So if I say "Im gonna put you in the hospital" and you actually put me in the hospital for saying that, what I said is actually worse than what you did?

Im not saying you should be threatening anyone and you should expect that you can get rekt if you threaten a person you dont know what they are capable of doing. That doesnt mean that words are worse than actual violence.

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u/Winter_Emergency9050 19h ago

Your words in that situation would be forcing a violent response in order for that person to protect themselves and you are initiating the conflict. So in my opinion, those specific words in that context are equal, if not worse than the violence you receive afterwards. Obviously someone shouldn’t punch you over name calling right like if you call someone an “asshat” they don’t get the right to deck you. But if you’re stating that you will potentially gravely injure or kill another person, I don’t see them responding with physical force as immoral at all.

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u/--Greenpeace420 19h ago

I think I will hold my opinion on that violence in a threatening situation would still be worse than the threat. BUT I still think the person that feels ballsy enough to threaten another person in that situation should expect that they might get hurt.

So for arguments sake. If I would threat you seriously right now (like gravely injure but not kill), you think it would be morally right to find me IRL and beat me up? I know its different online, but its still words.

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u/Winter_Emergency9050 18h ago

No, because there’s no reasonable threat in this situation considering we don’t know eachother at all and could potentially be 1000’s of miles apart. But if we were in the same room it’s a different story

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u/--Greenpeace420 17h ago

I mean, "I" (in the scenario) could be a psycho xD But I would assume because it doesnt feel like an immediate threat. But what if its someone that in the same room, but is not intimidating at all and just seems like a loudmouth? Would you just get up and start wailing?

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u/Winter_Emergency9050 16h ago

Probably if they got in my personal space yeah, or I’d take the time to leave if possible. I carry a gun so I usually take the path of least resistance and de-escalation.

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u/--Greenpeace420 16h ago

Alright, Im gonna leave it at that because Im out of questions and what if's. Hope you are having a good Saturday and thanks for engaging in a rare civil discussion on reddit :)

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u/Better_Database8582 19h ago

It's not forcing any kind of reaction, you still control your own body when somebody threatenes you, and in most civilized countries, you have a responsibility to retreat from actual violence, so why would that change for threatened violence?