(December 1, 2015 at 8:24 pm)RaphielDrake Wrote:(December 1, 2015 at 7:58 pm)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote: Imagine you and I are having a disagreement about, say, the doctrine of cuius regio, eius religio as presented in the Treaty of Westphalia. Rather than concede any of your points, I lose my temper and beat you to a bloody pulp.
Does this make me 'right'?
Boru
At that point is anyone contesting whether you are?
1984 had an interesting concept at the end. That God is power. Able to make people believe fundamental untruths, to force its will on anyone or anything. In the end thats what happens to Winston Smith and then he is disposed of. The very idea in Winstons mind that opposed Big Brothers philosophy was redacted and eradicated before he was killed.
When noone is left to say might is wrong whats the difference? Isn't that how much of history has been written?
The fact of the matter is; if you have enough power you can make any falsehood you want in anyones eyes a truth. I'm not saying might is right but if might wanted to it could make me believe that. With a sufficient amount of might you could make everyone believe that. At that point isn't it true?
No, it isn't true at all. Falsehood remains falsehood. Winston may have been convinced that three fingers were four fingers, but that doesn't make three equal to four. If might makes right in the sense of belief equating with truth, then Jesus of Nazareth is your personal Saviour and was crucified and died for your sins - a LOT of force went into making a LOT of people believe this, but that doesn't make the belief any less false.
Boru
‘I can’t be having with this.’ - Esmeralda Weatherwax
