The grand conceit of our civilization is that each individual human being has intrinsic value, be he ne’er so vile. Taking this nearly absurd principle seriously has been unbelievably productive.
I’m confused since I don’t understand on what “level of irony” are you here. Are you literally saying that some humans have no intrinsic value? Or that the state pretends to value all people while it really doesn’t? Or something else entirely?
I probably misused words. I’m saying that it is an important idea that seemed initially absurd to me and which has taken me a great deal of effort to take seriously, but moving towards believing everyone has value is (at least locally) a good and useful thing. As far as the state goes I think it does a fairly honest job of valuing all people, as it should.
I’m confused since I don’t understand on what “level of irony” are you here. Are you literally saying that some humans have no intrinsic value? Or that the state pretends to value all people while it really doesn’t? Or something else entirely?
I probably misused words. I’m saying that it is an important idea that seemed initially absurd to me and which has taken me a great deal of effort to take seriously, but moving towards believing everyone has value is (at least locally) a good and useful thing. As far as the state goes I think it does a fairly honest job of valuing all people, as it should.