what are the differences between transgenderedness and otherkin that might be ethically relevant (to some ethical system that some LWers might have)?
Right, so here’s the problem with that kind of conversation: Whenever someone states a fact, it carries an implicit assumption that the fact is ethically relevant in some way. You can’t help but smuggle in normative ethics with your factual claims. Facts become soldiers.
Consider this conversation: “Homosexuality is a choice.” “No, it’s genetic.” “Homosexuality is unnatural.” “No, it’s widespread in the animal kingdom.” “Yes, but...” On the surface, these interlocutors are disputing facts, but it’s clear that they’re really defending their ethical conclusions.
Or: “Racial miscegenation might have a destabilizing effect on society.” “No, it doesn’t.” “How do you know? Have you read studies on this question? We need more information.” The segregationist opinion is winning this battle merely by insinuating that certain factual questions are the ethically relevant ones.
Or: “How is Mormonism different from Roman Catholicism?” “Well, Mormonism isn’t a Christian religion.” “Yes it is, it’s a religion centered on Jesus Christ.” “Yes, but its theology is radically different from that of other branches of Christianity.” In this conversation the pro-Mormon side struggles to attain the title of “Christianity”, so that Mormons will deserve goodwill and fellowship from other Christians.
A sane thing to do would be to have a non-judgmental discussion of just the facts about transgenderedness or otherkin, motivated by genuine curiosity about the phenomenon; and afterwards to have a discussion about practical ethics where participants are open about what moral principles and intuitions they’re using.
Right, so here’s the problem with that kind of conversation: Whenever someone states a fact, it carries an implicit assumption that the fact is ethically relevant in some way. You can’t help but smuggle in normative ethics with your factual claims. Facts become soldiers.
Consider this conversation: “Homosexuality is a choice.” “No, it’s genetic.” “Homosexuality is unnatural.” “No, it’s widespread in the animal kingdom.” “Yes, but...” On the surface, these interlocutors are disputing facts, but it’s clear that they’re really defending their ethical conclusions.
Or: “Racial miscegenation might have a destabilizing effect on society.” “No, it doesn’t.” “How do you know? Have you read studies on this question? We need more information.” The segregationist opinion is winning this battle merely by insinuating that certain factual questions are the ethically relevant ones.
Or: “How is Mormonism different from Roman Catholicism?” “Well, Mormonism isn’t a Christian religion.” “Yes it is, it’s a religion centered on Jesus Christ.” “Yes, but its theology is radically different from that of other branches of Christianity.” In this conversation the pro-Mormon side struggles to attain the title of “Christianity”, so that Mormons will deserve goodwill and fellowship from other Christians.
A sane thing to do would be to have a non-judgmental discussion of just the facts about transgenderedness or otherkin, motivated by genuine curiosity about the phenomenon; and afterwards to have a discussion about practical ethics where participants are open about what moral principles and intuitions they’re using.