Take the example of, say, giving black slaves hats in the heat of summer (to shield them from the sun). Take two people, each from a different (probably neighbouring) plantation, each without the practical ability to change the slaves' lives in any way other than giving or not giving hats.
Person A believes the slaves to be inferior to the masters, while person B believes the slaves to be the equals of the masters, despite their different positions in society. Person A thinks that the slaves shouldn't be given hats, as it might give them inconvenient ideas as to their own worth, and promote uprising. Person B thinks that slaves should be given hats, as fellow humans whose suffering should be relieved whenever possible, out of basic consideration for their well-being.
Even if no one else on any plantation gives their slaves hats, even if everyone else views it as rebellious and disrespectful for person B to give the slaves hats, it isn't justified for person A to ask person B not to give person B's slaves hats (if it can be assumed that person B (and/or those whom person B represents) is the only one who could be ultimately disadvantaged by the hat-giving). That is... it's not reasonable to simply make the request without good, irrefutable reason. For person A to request that person B not give person B's slaves hats, and expect person B to comply, or for the reverse situation of person B requesting that person A give person A's slaves hats, and to expect person A to comply, both are rude, and attempts to impose one's own decisions on another.
For person A to question why person B chooses to give hats, or vice versa for not giving hats, to find out the reasons which result in different actions and to discuss them in the hope of each better understanding the other and maybe one's opinions and actions changing: that is reasonable.
But *drum-roll of conclusion/summary* it is unreasonable to ask other to do things inconsistant with their {choices about how they will}/{thoughts/beliefs about how they should} behave as long as the results of not doing those things do not disadvantage others.
...and now, teeth-brushing. Or is it tooth-brushing? 'tooth-brushing' sounds more natural, yet it implies that only one tooth is being brushed. ...and it's a difference between 93,400 Google results for the first and 496,000 for the second. Curious. *wonders... goes to attend to said dental hygiene*
no subject
*muses, perhaps straying from the point a little*
Take the example of, say, giving black slaves hats in the heat of summer (to shield them from the sun). Take two people, each from a different (probably neighbouring) plantation, each without the practical ability to change the slaves' lives in any way other than giving or not giving hats.
Person A believes the slaves to be inferior to the masters, while person B believes the slaves to be the equals of the masters, despite their different positions in society. Person A thinks that the slaves shouldn't be given hats, as it might give them inconvenient ideas as to their own worth, and promote uprising. Person B thinks that slaves should be given hats, as fellow humans whose suffering should be relieved whenever possible, out of basic consideration for their well-being.
Even if no one else on any plantation gives their slaves hats, even if everyone else views it as rebellious and disrespectful for person B to give the slaves hats, it isn't justified for person A to ask person B not to give person B's slaves hats (if it can be assumed that person B (and/or those whom person B represents) is the only one who could be ultimately disadvantaged by the hat-giving). That is... it's not reasonable to simply make the request without good, irrefutable reason. For person A to request that person B not give person B's slaves hats, and expect person B to comply, or for the reverse situation of person B requesting that person A give person A's slaves hats, and to expect person A to comply, both are rude, and attempts to impose one's own decisions on another.
For person A to question why person B chooses to give hats, or vice versa for not giving hats, to find out the reasons which result in different actions and to discuss them in the hope of each better understanding the other and maybe one's opinions and actions changing: that is reasonable.
But *drum-roll of conclusion/summary* it is unreasonable to ask other to do things inconsistant with their {choices about how they will}/{thoughts/beliefs about how they should} behave as long as the results of not doing those things do not disadvantage others.
...and now, teeth-brushing. Or is it tooth-brushing? 'tooth-brushing' sounds more natural, yet it implies that only one tooth is being brushed. ...and it's a difference between 93,400 Google results for the first and 496,000 for the second. Curious. *wonders... goes to attend to said dental hygiene*